Flutopia (featuring your Flute Section): Score
Featuring Your Flute Section
By Michael Story
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0003513
$8.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Section features have long been a favorite medium for both performers and audiences, as they create the opportunity to showcase the talent of particular instrument groups within bands. Since many of today's ensembles have a 'healthy' number of flutes, this charming composition focuses the proverbial spotlight on these musicians. It's an absolute winner! (duration 1:51)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Flutopia (featuring your Flute Section): Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
132
SKU:
00-PR-0003513
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Story
Michael Story has built a distinguished career writing accessible concert band music that balances musical substance with practical considerations for student ensembles. His compositions for beginning and intermediate bands are known for their clear orchestration, memorable melodies, and attention to the pedagogical needs of developing musicians.
Why we love this
Most section features ask the featured group to play in unison or simple harmony, which limits the musical texture available. Story writes genuine part counterpoint here, giving your flute section real voices to balance and blend while still keeping the technical demands appropriate for Grade 1. Your flutes get to sound like a real ensemble, not a doubled melody.
What to expect
Bright and cheerful without being saccharine. The piece has a gently flowing character that showcases the natural brightness of the flute timbre. There's genuine warmth in the harmonic writing even though the technical language stays elementary.
Who it's for
Conductors leading Grade 1 concert bands who have enough flutes to warrant a feature and want to give these musicians a moment in the spotlight without overextending their technical skills. This works equally well for a director who simply wants a charming, accessible concert opener that engages the whole band.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the flute choir lines so that the primary melody stays prominent without forcing. Even distribution of tone across all parts creates the lush, blended effect this piece needs.
- Establish a steady tempo early and maintain it throughout the 1:51 duration. The charming character depends on rhythmic confidence rather than rubato.
- Bring the harmonic support parts (2nd and 3rd flutes) into rehearsal balance separately before the full band runs. These musicians often play timidly because they assume accompaniment means soft.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to establish an upbeat energy and let your flute section shine before tackling heavier repertoire. At under two minutes, it pairs well with a contrasting piece and gives your program structural variety without consuming much rehearsal time relative to its impact on the audience.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing multiple flute parts to create a unified ensemble sound
- Reading and executing simple harmonic progressions as a section
- Sustaining tone quality across an entire phrase without technical strain
- Responding to conductor cues as a unified section rather than individual players