Footprints on the Moon: Score
By Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0006258
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Description
This emotional original work celebrates the entire United States space program and specifically the July 20th anniversary of the first lunar landing of Apollo 11 in 1969. The piece opens with a majestic and punctuated theme followed immediately by an inquisitive melody. This is interrupted to pay tribute to those lost in Apollo 1 then resumes and develops towards a glorious and soaring conclusion. A compelling choice! (3:30)
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
192
SKU:
00-PR-0006258
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans concert band, wind ensemble, and orchestral literature. His compositions for young musicians have become staples in music education, known for their musicality, accessibility, and emotional depth. Story has a gift for writing original works that engage students while respecting their developing technical abilities, making him a trusted voice in the Belwin Young Band catalog.
Why we love this
Story crafts a narrative arc that holds attention from start to finish, layering patriotic pride with genuine emotional weight through the Apollo 1 tribute. The opening theme lands immediately and gives students something satisfying to play, while the structural development rewards rehearsal time without overwhelming a Grade 2 ensemble. This is concert programming that matters.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a remembrance ceremony, moving from wonder to sorrow to triumph. You hear the ambition and courage embedded in the space program's story, grounded in the human cost paid along the way. The soaring final section captures the perseverance and achievement that defined Apollo 11.
Who it's for
This work suits concert bands at the Grade 2 level who are ready to tackle meaningful repertoire beyond technical exercises. Directors seeking a patriotic piece with genuine artistic substance rather than surface-level flag-waving will find a strong fit here.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening majestic theme with clear articulation and deliberate phrasing; let the punctuation breathe rather than rush.
- Balance the inquisitive melody that follows so it feels like a natural conversational turn, not a jarring shift in energy.
- Approach the Apollo 1 tribute section with restraint and reverence; understatement is more powerful than volume.
- Build momentum gradually in the final section, allowing the soaring conclusion to feel earned rather than abrupt.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece in spring, perhaps around the July 20th anniversary or during a patriotic-themed concert. Its Grade 2 accessibility makes it an excellent choice for showcasing ensemble growth while delivering a program moment with real gravitas.
Skills your students will build
- phrasing over multi-bar phrases
- dynamic contrast and control
- articulation clarity in thematic material
- transitions between contrasting melodic ideas
- ensemble balance in homophonic textures