(Don't Fear) The Reaper (arr. Paul Murtha): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Blue Oyster Cult / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00426481
$55.00
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Description
If you are looking for a little "more cowbell," this hit from 1976 is just the thing. Even before the famous Saturday Night Live skit, this tune recorded by Blue Oyster Cult was a pretty big deal!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00426481
More about this title
About the Artist: Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult emerged from New York in the early 1970s with a distinctive blend of hard rock, progressive rock, and psychedelia. The band's layered arrangements and conceptual ambition earned them a devoted following and multiple platinum records, with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" becoming their signature song and a staple of rock radio for decades.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the hypnotic appeal of the original while keeping the demands reasonable for a Grade 2 ensemble. The piece lets students hear how a rock song translates to concert band without losing its infectious groove, and the famous cowbell part gives your percussion section something genuinely fun to own.
What to expect
Hypnotic and propulsive, with an almost meditative quality built on looping melodic phrases and a relentless rhythmic pulse. The arrangement captures the original's cool detachment while letting your band breathe some life into those iconic hooks.
Who it's for
Any director looking to engage students with recognizable, high-energy rock material that doesn't require advanced technical chops. This works equally well as a unit opener to build morale, a pep band feature, or a concert closer that leaves audiences smiling.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the organ-like voicing in the woodwinds; these sustained chords form the harmonic backbone and need to sit back and blend rather than cut through.
- Lock the cowbell rhythm with the kick drum from measure one. That steady pulse is what makes the arrangement work, so invest rehearsal time here early.
- Shape the dynamic rise gradually in the final section. This arrangement builds momentum through repetition rather than sudden jumps, so resist the urge to jump to forte too quickly.
- Keep the trumpet melody clean and singable, even when it sits above the ensemble. Avoid forcing the tone; this tune works best when players treat it as almost conversational.
How to use it
Pair this with other accessible pop or rock arrangements to create a thematic concert set that appeals to families and younger listeners. It's equally at home in a pep band rotation or as a contrast piece between classical works, giving audiences a moment of contemporary fun.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady rhythmic pulse in repetitive grooves
- Balancing sustained harmonic layers with foreground melody
- Reading and executing rock-style articulations and phrasing
- Ensemble cohesion through minimal but defined percussion anchoring