Five Mississippi Rush: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Taylor captures the playfulness and rhythm of a football field tradition while grounding it in legitimate musical architecture. The five-note motives and blues-inflected harmonic language give the piece substance beyond its novelty hook, and the snare riff entrance immediately signals to an audience that they're in for something fun and unpretentious.

Energetic and grounded in Americana, with the infectious rhythm of a playground game meeting the soulfulness of the blues. The repetitive five-note figures create a hypnotic forward momentum that feels contemporary and accessible, yet rooted in something authentic and regional.

Bands at the intermediate-advanced level (Grade 5) who want to program something the audience will immediately connect with and that students will enjoy performing. This works equally well for groups seeking a concert opener that establishes energy or a mid-program piece that shifts mood without sacrificing musical integrity.

• Nail the snare riff entrance with precision and attitude. This is your hook with the audience, so lock the rhythm section early in rehearsals to establish the pocket before layering melody.
• Lean into the blues language. Let the saxophones and low brass shape the harmonic color naturally rather than treating it as strict classical phrasing.
• Balance energy with clarity throughout the five-element phrases. The repetition is intentional, so emphasize the contour and shape within each phrase rather than rushing through it.

Program this early in a concert to establish an informal, engaging tone that tells your audience this performance will include music that speaks to them directly. It pairs well with more traditional concert band fare later in the program, offering contrast without feeling out of place in a serious recital.

• Blues articulation and phrasing
• Rhythmic precision with five-note and five-element phrase patterns
• Section balance and blend within repetitive harmonic structures
• Stylistic differentiation between classical and blues-inflected voicing