Fly High!: 2nd Percussion

The piece captures that moment of anticipation before takeoff and the exhilaration of flight itself. Swirling textures give way to soaring melodies that feel genuinely uplifting rather than saccharine, while rhythmic energy keeps the momentum forward without becoming chaotic.

Grade 2 concert bands ready to program a piece with clear narrative arc and accessible musicianship demands. This works well for groups that respond to imagery and thematic material, and for directors seeking solid festival or contest repertoire without extreme technical requirements.

• Balance the swirling rhythms in the ensemble so the melodic material cuts through clearly. Too much density in accompaniment figures will bury the soaring lines.
• Shape phrases across the flowing melodic sections rather than treating them as note-for-note sequences. Listen for where the line breathes naturally and let your students lean into those moments.
• Set a tempo that allows the band to manage the rhythmic activity without rushing. A controlled pace showcases the smooth, flowing character better than racing through busy sections.

Open a concert with this as an energetic, accessible opener that sets a positive tone immediately. It also serves strong contest programming at the Grade 2 level, where audiences and adjudicators alike appreciate a piece with clear character and musicality that's within reach for developing bands.

• Sustaining long melodic phrases across changing harmonies
• Balancing rhythmic accompaniment figures with melodic material
• Responding to narrative and imagery in shaping musical interpretation
• Ensemble coordination during moments of textural density
• Understanding tempo control as a tool for musical character