Flourishes!: Score
By William Owens
Grade: 2.5;3
Item: 98-DB1774S
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Description
Dynamic and highly spirited, the bold opening quickly sets the stage for lush harmonies, driving rhythms and a variety of tonal colors. An excellent way to announce the beginning of your concert while leaving plenty of endurance for the rest of the program!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Flourishes!: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1774S
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens has composed over 300 works for young ensembles since 1993, earning recognition as a defining voice in accessible band literature. A VanderCook College of Music graduate, he brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositional practice, grounding his writing in what actually works in rehearsal and performance. His pieces regularly appear on state-level festival lists and in educational music texts, a testament to their musicality and pedagogical value.
Owens held the position of band director in Texas for 30 years before retiring in 2014. His professional involvement spans ASCAP, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He has received principal commissions from South Plains College, the American Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu, among others, and was named a Distinguished Alumnus by VanderCook. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Why we love this
Owens understands that your concert opener must accomplish two things at once: grab attention and preserve your ensemble's energy. Flourishes! does both without overextending your band. The orchestration balances bold, attention-getting moments with genuine harmonic interest, so your students experience a piece that demands musicianship, not merely spectacle.
What to expect
Flourishes! announces itself with confidence and color. Lush harmonies bloom beneath driving rhythms, creating forward momentum that feels both controlled and exhilarating. The tonal variety prevents any single moment from growing predictable, keeping both audience and performers engaged.
Who it's for
Grade 2 to 3 bands seeking a concert opener that impresses without sacrificing musical substance. This piece works equally well for bands with solid fundamentals and those still developing ensemble cohesion. Directors looking to program something spirited early in the concert will find Flourishes! leaves room for the rest of your program to shine.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening boldly but without rushing. Let the tempo breathe enough to showcase the harmonic clarity Owens writes into the exposition.
- Balance the lush harmonies by ensuring inner voices don't disappear behind the melody line. This is where intonation work pays off.
- Manage the driving rhythmic sections with a steady hand on pulse. Precision here creates the energy the piece promises without losing control.
How to use it
Use this as your concert's opening salvo when you need impact without endurance demands. The piece is equally suited to festival performance, where a strong opening statement sets a positive tone for the rest of your set. Its spirited character works best when followed by contrasting material, allowing the full arc of your program to unfold.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody with inner harmonic voices in four-part and fuller textures
- Sustaining rhythmic precision through driving sections at various tempos
- Maintaining intonation across lush harmonic progressions
- Ensemble blend and tone control with varied orchestrations