Hailstorm (Solo Cornet and Concert Band): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Rimmer's original cornet solo translates beautifully to the concert band setting without losing its character as a showpiece. The arrangement preserves what made this piece a standard in brass band contests while giving your ensemble the chance to feature a cornet soloist at Grade 3 level, and the triple-tonguing section guarantees audience engagement.

The piece opens with understated elegance as the band introduces the musical setting, then unfolds into a singing melody that feels intimate despite the full ensemble. Once the triple-tonguing ignites, energy surges and the cornet becomes a virtuoso instrument, dazzling listeners with technical brilliance before resolving back into the lyrical character that made the opening so memorable.

Cornet soloists who have solid tonguing technique and can shape a lyrical line will thrive with this standard. Your concert band needs players with secure harmonic foundation and rhythmic precision to support a featured soloist convincingly, making this an excellent choice for groups with developing ensemble skills at the Grade 3 level.

• Balance the lyrical opening melody so the cornet soloist can establish the tune without drowning in the band's accompaniment; use the introduction to set a conversational dynamic rather than a full sound.
• Isolate the cadenza section in rehearsal with just the soloist and a small group of players; this ensures the soloist's passage work sits clearly and the band knows when to re-enter confidently.
• Mark the triple-tonguing passage with a clear subdivision in rehearsals so the band's rhythmic foundation stays rock-solid while the cornet navigates the technical demands.
• Shape the band's responses to the soloist as genuine musical dialogue; think of the ensemble as a supporting voice, not a backdrop.

Feature this on a concert that celebrates brass soloists and gives your cornet players visibility within the ensemble. It works particularly well as a mid-program showcase piece that provides contrast between larger ensemble works, or as a natural lead-in to other solo-with-band selections if you're programming a theme around featured performers.

• Triple tonguing and clarity at faster tempos
• Lyrical phrasing and musical line in a solo context
• Cadenza improvisation and musical independence
• Ensemble balance and accompaniment texture
• Listening and responding as a band to a featured soloist