Fantoms By Firelight (for Narrator and Band): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
(for Narrator and Band)
By David Shaffer / Narration by Ralph Venezia
Grade: 2
Item: 98-PK-RWS2527
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Description
Combining David Shaffer's masterful scoring with Ralph Venezia's creative storytelling, Fantoms By Firelight paints a vivid musical portrait of the Fantoms among us. Venezia's clever narrative will delight both audiences and musicians, offering a chance to feature a local celebrity, teacher, or administrator as the narrator. This engaging blend of words and music will be the perfect addition to any concert, guaranteed to be a hit! (2:40)
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Developing Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PK-RWS2527
More about this title
About the Composer: David Shaffer
David Shaffer has established himself as a versatile composer and arranger with deep roots in music education. His catalog spans concert band, wind ensemble, and choral genres, consistently demonstrating an ear for accessible yet musically substantial writing that engages both student musicians and audiences.
Why we love this
Shaffer's orchestration keeps every section engaged while the narrative frame transforms a concert band piece into genuine theater. Ralph Venezia's storytelling gives your band a rare opportunity to collaborate with a spoken-word element that genuinely entertains, and the flexibility to cast a local figure as narrator makes this feel like an event rather than just another piece on the program.
What to expect
A campfire story told in full color. The music evokes mystery and wonder alongside Venezia's clever wordplay, creating moments of genuine humor as the band paints the fantoms into existence. It's playful without being silly, theatrical without overshadowing the musicianship.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate level who want to program something engaging and different from traditional instrumental fare. This works equally well for school concerts, community band performances, or festival play-where the novelty of a narrator paired with strong Shaffer orchestration will land with both musicians and listeners.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the narrator's voice carefully in rehearsal; the band should sit back slightly when the story unfolds so dialogue lands clearly without instrumental competition.
- Mark tempo and expression changes precisely in the score during early rehearsals, since the narrator's pacing will shape how the ensemble interprets musical passages.
- Give your narrator multiple full run-throughs with the band before performance so they settle into the rhythm of the piece and musicians learn to follow the story's emotional arc.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set an imaginative tone and grab audience attention immediately, or use it as a lighter moment between heavier works to give your band a chance to show personality and range. At just 2:40, it fits neatly into a full program while making a memorable statement.
Skills your students will build
- Following a conductor's cues while responding to an external narrator
- Balancing ensemble voices to support rather than overshadow a spoken text
- Playing with rhythmic flexibility to match narrative pacing
- Interpreting expressive musical language that serves storytelling