Divertimento No. 1: Concert Band Conductor Score

This arrangement captures one of Haydn's most enduring melodies—the St. Anthony's Chorale—within a brilliantly orchestrated opening movement that sits comfortably at Grade 2½. Conductors appreciate how David Marlatt's scoring lets ensemble members hear themselves while maintaining transparency and forward motion; the part writing never feels crowded, and younger bands can experience the elegance of Classical form without getting lost in complexity.

Graceful and spirited, with the warmth of a hymn-like melody woven through bright wind writing. There's a sense of celebration and ease—this is music designed to entertain in an open-air setting, yet it carries genuine harmonic subtlety and the structural clarity that defines Haydn's compositional voice. Playing it feels both accessible and substantial.

Concert bands at the 2½ level looking to program a substantial Classical masterwork without overwhelming younger players. Conductors seeking a vehicle to teach ensemble balance, phrasing, and the distinction between structural clarity and orchestral color in the Classical style will find this arrangement ideally scaled.

• Balance the oboe solos against the accompanimental voices in the horn and bassoon parts; these aren't background figures but need clarity to shape Haydn's phrasing.
• Maintain a steady, light tempo throughout; this is a Feldpartie meant for open-air performance, so resist the temptation to push the Allegro con Spirito too fast.
• Articulate the wind writing cleanly, especially in passage work; Haydn's style relies on precision to sparkle.
• Shape the St. Anthony's Chorale phrase with gentle dynamic breathing that respects the hymn-like character of the melody while keeping the ensemble forward.

Open a concert with this as a sure-footed entrance into the Classical period, or program it alongside other Haydn works to build a thematic concert around 18th-century wind music. Its brevity (the Allegro con Spirito movement) and moderate difficulty make it an excellent selection for early-season rehearsals when building confidence and ensemble sound.

• Balanced part writing across woodwind and brass sections
• Phrasing and shaping in the Classical style
• Reading and performing with forward momentum in Allegro con Spirito tempo
• Understanding harmonic progression and voice leading in the Classical period