Hailstorm: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Rimmer's Hailstorm has earned its place as an indispensable solo through generations of performance for good reason: the piece moves seamlessly from intimate lyricism to dazzling technical display, giving soloists space to shine while keeping the band fully engaged rather than relegated to accompaniment. David Marlatt's concert band arrangement opens this brass band classic to ensembles beyond the traditional brass band setting, preserving the character that has made it a proving ground for serious cornet players. The triple tonguing passages and cadenza offer genuine technical challenge at Grade 3, and the piece reliably draws audience engagement.

Hailstorm opens with lyrical warmth, inviting the listener into an intimate musical conversation before pivoting sharply into fireworks. The triple tonguing passages create a sense of technical exhilaration, like watching a skilled performer execute something difficult with apparent ease. Underneath it all sits a driving, energetic ensemble foundation that propels the soloist forward and connects each section of the piece into a cohesive whole.

This arrangement is ideal for concert bands at the Grade 3 level seeking a repertoire-building solo that brings genuine technical and musical substance. Cornet players who want to tackle material with standard professional credentials will find Rimmer's writing both rewarding and historically significant. Directors looking to feature a strong soloist at a concert or festival will find an audience-pleasing vehicle with enough musical content to justify serious preparation.

• Shape the lyrical opening phrase with a singing tone and careful dynamic shaping before the cadenza enters; this lyricism grounds the virtuosity that follows.
• Approach triple tonguing as a technical skill to be practiced separately and deliberately with the soloist; cleanness matters more than speed in this section.
• Allow the band's opening introduction to establish the character and tempo confidently, which gives the cornet soloist a secure launching point.
• Balance the cornet's soloistic passages against the ensemble support; the cornet should never be buried, but the band should sound full and energetic rather than reduced.

Position this as a featured solo moment in a concert program where you want to highlight a capable cornet player and bring a burst of energy and virtuosity. It pairs well alongside other Grade 3 concert band literature in a full program, or can anchor a shorter student concert as a centerpiece. The piece also works effectively at festival competitions where adjudicators expect both musical maturity and technical command at the Grade 3 level.

• Triple tonguing articulation and clarity
• Lyrical phrase shaping and musical expression in solo context
• Cadenza improvisation and technical passage navigation
• Balance and blend between solo voice and ensemble accompaniment
• Sustained technical execution over multiple sections