Helios: Dawn of a New Day: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Jordan Sterk
Grade: 3.5 (Medium)
Item: 00-PK-0008171
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Description
Helios, Greek god of the sun, is said to ride in his chariot pulled by fiery steeds as he brings the sun across the sky each day. Helios: Dawn of a New Day by Jordan Sterk seeks to capture the energy and spirit of his journey. Powerful fanfares and energetic melodies depict the moment the sun breaks over the horizon. (2:45)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Helios: Dawn of a New Day: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
232
SKU:
00-PK-0008171
More about this title
About the Composer: Jordan Sterk
Jordan Sterk holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Michigan State University, where he studied tuba and euphonium under Philip Sinder and composition with Associate Professor John T. Madden. His training in both performance and pedagogy has shaped his approach to writing music that serves ensemble needs across skill levels.
Sterk teaches beginning through high school band in Owosso, Michigan, and brings that classroom experience directly into his compositional work. He composes regularly, arranges for various ensembles, and writes drill designs—work that demonstrates his deep understanding of what conductors and students actually need.
Why we love this
Sterk captures genuine drama without overcomplication. The fanfare writing is direct and playable at Grade 3.5, the harmonic language sits well across the band, and the pacing builds momentum that keeps students engaged through a satisfying arc. This is the kind of concert opener that sounds polished after solid rehearsals, not after weeks of fine-tuning.
What to expect
Sunlight breaking through darkness with unstoppable momentum. The music crackles with the urgency of Helios's daily journey across the sky, built from bright brass fanfares and driving rhythmic propulsion. It's jubilant and forward-moving without ever feeling scattered or overly ornate.
Who it's for
Conductors programming Grade 3.5 concert bands who want a strong opener with real compositional substance. The piece works equally well for festival competitions or concert programs where you need something with fanfare energy and clear musical architecture that students will play with pride.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the fanfare character early in sectional rehearsals. The brass need rhythmic precision and unified articulation to land the opening impact; lock the rhythms before worrying about dynamics.
- Balance the energetic melodies across woodwinds and brass. Since this piece depicts movement and power, keep the texture transparent enough that the forward motion reads from the audience.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to check tempo consistency, especially as the piece builds. Sterk's pacing is intentional, and holding the energy steady through key transitions makes the climax land harder.
- Shape the melodic lines with natural phrase breathing rather than mechanical crescendos. The spirit of the chariot ride comes through in how organically the band breathes together.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to set an energetic tone and showcase your band's technical clarity. The 2:45 length and strong harmonic conclusion make it an ideal festival entry that demonstrates control and musicianship. It pairs well with contrasting repertoire (a lyrical second piece, for example) because it establishes such clear musical character.
Skills your students will build
- Ensemble balance between brass fanfares and woodwind inner voices
- Precise articulation and rhythmic unison in opening figures
- Phrase shape and architectural pacing through extended crescendos
- Dynamic control across sustained harmonic transitions
- Reading and executing moderately complex band textures at medium tempo