Flight of the Bumble Bee for Solo Instrument and Band Cover Image

Flight of the Bumble Bee for Solo Instrument and Band: Concert Band, Mixed Instrument(s)/ Voice(s) with Ensemble, Full Score

$10.00 USD

Flight of the Bumble Bee for Solo Instrument and Band: Concert Band, Mixed Instrument(s)/ Voice(s) with Ensemble, Full Score

Name: Flight of the Bumble Bee for Solo Instrument and Band: Concert Band, Mixed Instrument(s)/ Voice(s) with Ensemble, Full Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-10165180
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Albert O. Davis

Grade: 3

Item: 36-10165180

$10.00

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This is a masterful yet accessible arrangement of this war-horse of solos with band. For solo with full orchestra accompaniment, see #10260082. Piano accompaniment editions are also available at 10410245 (fl), 10440245 (cl), 10450245 (a. sax.), 10460245 (t. sax.), 10510245 (tpt), 10530245 (trb), 10540245 (euph).

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Series: LudwigMasters Concert Band

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 8-89-563512-4

ISBN13: 979-8-89-563512-4

UPC: 660355051852

SKU: 36-10165180

Instrumentation: Band with Solo (flexible solo part)

More about this title

About the Composer: Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was a Russian composer and orchestrator whose mastery of instrumental color shaped concert music for generations. His work in the Imperial Chapel and as a composition teacher at the St. Petersburg Conservatory positioned him as a central figure in Russian musical nationalism, and his influence extends far beyond concert halls into the standard repertoire of wind ensembles worldwide.

Flight of the Bumble Bee, extracted from his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, demonstrates his genius for writing virtuosic, perpetually energizing music that translates brilliantly across instruments. The piece has become a staple of solo and ensemble programming because it combines genuine compositional craft with undeniable audience appeal.

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Why we love this

Albert O. Davis's arrangement respects the piece's character while making it genuinely playable for high school ensembles. The scoring gives the band meaningful work without burying the solo, and Grade 3 difficulty means your musicians focus on energy and precision rather than wrestling with ranges and rhythmic complexity.

What to expect

Electric and playful, with a perpetual sense of barely controlled chaos. The famous chromatic rush evokes a bee in frantic flight, buzzing and weaving through thick harmonic clouds while the band propels everything forward with relentless energy and good humor.

Who it's for

Concert bands looking for a reliable showpiece that excites audiences and challenges soloists without derailing preparation timelines. This arrangement works equally well as a solo feature for a trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, or flute, making it flexible for showcasing different players across seasons.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the accompaniment crisp and articulate so the solo can sit forward in the mix. The band's part drives the momentum, and any muddiness will obscure the virtuosic figuration.
Lock the tempo before the solo enters. Once that relentless driving rhythm is established, the soloist has a foundation to build excitement against.
Shape the solo line with direction even within rapid passages. Resist the urge to rush; breathe phrase by phrase and maintain a singing quality underneath the technical display.
Balance dynamics carefully in sections where the band has countermelody or harmonic interest. These moments add color, but the primary voice should always register clearly.

How to use it

Place this toward the middle or end of your concert where it can serve as a breather from heavier works while still delivering excitement. It pairs well alongside other Russian repertoire or as a contrasting solo feature between lyrical ensemble selections.