Heist: E-flat Baritone Saxophone
By Jared Barnes
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0019768_BTX
$3.00
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Description
Heist, by Jared Barnes, draws inspiration from the iconic sounds and styles of 1960s spy movies while also incorporating contemporary, energetic rhythms and grooves. While the brass and percussion sections are prominent within the piece, the woodwinds also enjoy several features.
The piece follows our protagonist as they expertly execute their mission with stealth and, most importantly, style. Everything is going according to plan until an alarm gets tripped and a race to escape ensues. Do they complete their mission and get away in time? Were they acting for the forces of good or evil? You decide!
The piece follows our protagonist as they expertly execute their mission with stealth and, most importantly, style. Everything is going according to plan until an alarm gets tripped and a race to escape ensues. Do they complete their mission and get away in time? Were they acting for the forces of good or evil? You decide!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Heist: E-flat Baritone Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019768_BTX
More about this title
About the Composer: Jared Barnes
Jared Barnes composes instrumental music that reaches far beyond the concert hall. His works have been performed at honor bands, regional and national festivals, and the Midwest Clinic, earning recognition on Stanton's Five Star Feature, J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice, and Bandworld's Top 100 lists. With more than a decade of teaching experience in grades 5-12, Barnes has built a track record of excellence in Iowa's music education scene, guiding his bands to consistent Division I ratings at the IHSMA Large Group Festival and earning selection as the Class 1A High School Honor Band for the 2011 and 2019 Iowa Bandmasters Conventions.
Why we love this
Barnes captures the swagger and sophistication of classic spy cinema without leaning on nostalgia alone. The piece intelligently distributes musical responsibility across the band, ensuring brass and percussion drive the action while woodwinds earn their moment in the spotlight. It's a Grade 3 work with real style and narrative momentum, making it equally strong for festival play or concert programming.
What to expect
Suave and propulsive, like watching a master thief glide through a museum in slow motion before everything goes sideways. The early sections pulse with cool, calculated energy; the alarm and escape create genuine urgency and excitement, keeping audiences invested in whether our protagonist succeeds.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3 level looking for a show-stopping festival or concert selection that engages the entire ensemble. The piece works for mid-level high school bands and advanced middle school groups seeking contemporary literature with narrative appeal and accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove early in rehearsals by locking the rhythm section (percussion and low brass) into the contemporary rhythmic patterns before layering in the melodic material.
- Pay attention to the alarm moment. Build genuine tension leading into it, then nail the energy shift as the escape sequence kicks in. This dramatic pivot is what makes the piece memorable.
- Balance the prominence of brass and percussion with clear articulation from the woodwinds during their featured passages. These moments deserve full projection to cut through the texture.
- Keep the 1960s spy movie aesthetic authentic by maintaining precision in ensemble attacks and releases. Sloppy articulation dulls the sleek sophistication Barnes is after.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece on a festival or concert that pairs well with a traditional overture or classical selection. Its contemporary groove and cinematic narrative make it an ideal bridge between formal and accessible programming, especially when you want to showcase student musicianship without alienating audiences seeking variety.
Skills your students will build
- Executing contemporary rhythmic grooves and syncopation patterns
- Balancing ensemble texture when multiple sections carry prominent material simultaneously
- Building and releasing dramatic tension through dynamics and articulation changes
- Responding to rapid stylistic shifts (calm heist sequences to high-energy escape)