Foothill March: HybridNOW Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Hall writes with the ear of someone who has stood in front of a young band and knows exactly what lands. The 6/8 meter feels natural rather than taught, the harmonic movement keeps students and audiences engaged, and the textural variety prevents the march from settling into predictability. This is contest repertoire that doesn't feel like a study piece.

Foothill March evokes the gentle terrain where mountains meet rolling grassland, with sweeping melodic lines and unexpected harmonic turns that keep the ear curious. The compound meter gives the music a lilting, organic quality while the varied textures create moments of surprise and discovery throughout its two-minute arc.

Bands ready to expand beyond simple duple meter but not yet comfortable with complex formal structures. This Grade 2.5 work gives developing ensembles authentic compositional language while keeping the technical demands accessible.

• Establish the 6/8 pulse early in sectional rehearsals by having students feel the compound meter in two rather than counting six. This grounds the rhythmic foundation before layering melodic ideas.
• Highlight the harmonic shifts as they arrive; they're compositional choices, not accidents. Point out which chords are expected and which surprise, so performers understand the architecture beneath the surface.
• Balance the tuneful opening melody against the textural developments that follow. The piece asks for clarity in the first statement, then welcomes rhythmic and harmonic adventure without losing shape.

Open a concert with this piece to signal that your band has moved beyond foundational repertoire. Its approachable character works well alongside other Grade 2 selections while its compositional sophistication holds its own in mixed-level festivals. The 2:15 duration fits naturally into a balanced concert program without requiring substantial performance time.

• Reading and performing in compound meter (6/8)
• Balancing melody and accompaniment across changing textures
• Tracking harmonic movement through varied chord progressions
• Sustaining musical shape across multiple sections with contrasting material
• Responding to compositional development rather than repetition