Dragonfire: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Paul Lavender
Grade: 0.5
Item: 35-PK01199939
$50.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Dragonfire - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| Dragonfire - Flute | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Oboe | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Bb Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Eb Alto Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Bb Bass Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Eb Alto Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Bb Trumpet | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Trombone/Baritone B.C./Bassoon | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Baritone T.C. | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Tuba | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Percussion 2 | $6.00 | |
| Dragonfire - Keyboard Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Explorer Level (correlates with Book 1, p. 11). Dark and sinister are not words normally associated with music for beginning bands. However, this well-written Paul Lavender original provides powerful and dramatic sounds even at this very easy level. With nothing faster than a quarter note (8th notes in percussion), your players will be eager to tackle this one!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01199939
More about this title
About the Composer: Paul Lavender
Paul Lavender has established himself as one of the most prolific and respected composers for school band programs. His ability to craft engaging original works that sit comfortably at their intended level while delivering genuine musical substance has made his pieces staples in festival rotations and concert programs across the country.
Why we love this
Lavender refuses to let beginning band mean timid music. Dragonfire delivers genuine atmosphere and sophistication through clean orchestration and smart harmonic choices, proving that young players respond to material with real character. Your ensemble will feel like they're performing something substantial, not a stepping stone.
What to expect
Dark and brooding, with an orchestral richness that belies its technical simplicity. The piece unfolds like a film score moment, building menace through layered harmonies and ensemble balance rather than flashy solo lines.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands ready to move beyond exercise-style repertoire. This works equally well for elementary honor bands or first-year high school groups seeking something with dramatic appeal rather than novelty gimmicks.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the opening unrushed. The sinister quality depends on space and control rather than speed; resist the urge to push the tempo.
- Balance low voices prominently in the early sections. Clarinet and alto sax should sit behind the tubas and baritones so the harmonic foundation anchors the piece.
- Watch attacks across sections when the dynamics swell. Young bands often tighten up instinctively during louder passages; maintain the same relaxed preparation whether playing soft or at full volume.
- Have percussion mark beat patterns clearly during the quarter note passages to prevent rhythm drift. Even small inconsistencies show at this level.
How to use it
Schedule this as a concert opener or closer to establish mood and grab immediate attention. It pairs well with lighter fare on the same program, offering the kind of contrast that keeps audiences engaged across a full concert.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing whole notes and half notes with rhythmic precision
- Balancing parts to support harmonic depth rather than melody
- Controlling tone and dynamics as expressive tools independent of volume
- Maintaining ensemble synchronization with minimal conductor cueing
- Sustaining steady tempo across a longer form without acceleration