Dock Walkin' (from All's Fair): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Dock Walkin' (from All's Fair ): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-CB2034
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Jeff Smallman

Grade: 2

Item: 81-CB2034

$50.00

Shipped

One moment…

In the old movies, a character who was down on his luck could be found walking along the harbourfront reflecting on his circumstances. This mood has been captured in composer Jeff Smallman's Dock Walkin'. Taken from the original musical All's Fair, this piece for solo piano and band is set against the backdrop of the early 1940s. Filled with lush, rich harmonies reminiscent of the big band era, the listener will be instantly transported back to the days of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

Dock Walkin' (from All's Fair): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample pages found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-55472-278-0

ISBN13: 978-1-55472-278-5

UPC: 685462004065

SKU: 81-CB2034

More about this title

About the Composer: Jeff Smallman

Jeff Smallman is a composer whose theatrical works and concert music share a gift for dramatic storytelling. His ability to craft atmospheric pieces that evoke specific times and places makes him a valuable voice in contemporary band literature, particularly for younger ensembles learning to shape ensemble sound with intention.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Smallman captures the cinematic melancholy of classic Hollywood with orchestration that sounds far richer than Grade 2 difficulty suggests. The solo piano part gives your ensemble a featured voice while the band provides sophisticated harmonic support, creating an arrangement that rewards careful attention to balance and phrasing. Programming this piece signals to audiences that your band can handle character and atmosphere, not just technical display.

What to expect

A film noir moment set to music. The lush, warm harmonies and deliberate pacing evoke those classic scenes of a solitary figure contemplating fate under harbor lights. Smallman's orchestration has the generous sonority of the big band era without the frenetic energy, instead favoring reflection and elegant melancholy.

Who it's for

Band directors seeking Grade 2 repertoire that offers musical substance and dramatic character. This piece works well for ensembles ready to move beyond purely technical studies and explore ensemble phrasing, balance, and period style. Your pianist will also appreciate a substantial solo part that isn't overshadowed by the band.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the piano solo against the band so the melody remains the clear focal point; the ensemble should sit well behind the featured part throughout.
Shape the harmonies with subtle dynamic shading in the supporting voices; these rich chords need to breathe rather than sit static.
Establish the 1940s mood from the first measure by requesting a warm, legato approach in the woodwind and brass sections.
Coordinate with your pianist on rubato and phrase breathing; the best performances treat this as a genuine chamber partnership rather than a solo with accompaniment.

How to use it

Position this as a graceful contrast to more energetic selections on your concert or contest program. The combination of solo piano with ensemble creates an intimate moment that also showcases your band's musicality and restraint. It pairs especially well with swing-era themes or early 20th-century American repertoire.