A bold and triumphant brass quintet evoking images of a hero's return from battle. Each player shares the spotlight with the melodic line traded through all parts. Appropriate for any concert or festival performance, "Hero" will also find a place on your ceremonial programs in multiple settings. A heroic musical statement for brass!
Original Item#: RWS-1651-00
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Mekealian writes for brass with genuine understanding of how to balance the quintet's voices while keeping every player engaged. The melodic line travels through all five parts, so no one sits in a supporting role for long. It's the kind of piece that energizes a brass section and sounds impressively substantial on a concert program.
What to expect
Victory and honor sung through brass. The opening announces itself with unmistakable strength, and the trading of the primary melody between voices creates a sense of shared triumph rather than a single hero's moment. It's uplifting without sentimentality, grand without requiring a large ensemble.
Who it's for
Brass quintet ensembles at the intermediate to advanced level looking for repertoire that showcases all five players equally. This works well for concert and festival settings, and its ceremonial character makes it ideal for opening pieces, processionals, or celebratory occasions.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the melodic exchanges carefully as the theme passes between players. Each voice should arrive with confidence while the supporting parts maintain clear harmonic presence.
Shape the overall arc across the full piece rather than treating each phrase in isolation. The triumphant character demands momentum and forward motion.
Lock the rhythm section (tuba and horn) as your foundation. A solid harmonic anchor gives the cornet and trumpet the freedom to sing their lines expressively.
Articulation matters for the heroic quality. Crisp tonguing on the rhythmic figures will project the bold character without sacrificing the melodic moments.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to set an energized tone, or use it as a ceremonial or processional piece at graduations, dedications, and formal events. It pairs naturally with other ensemble works of similar weight and energy level, and the Grade 4 difficulty sits comfortably alongside other intermediate quintet repertoire.
Skills your students will build
Trading melodic material between voice parts while maintaining ensemble cohesion
Balancing melodic and harmonic roles within a small ensemble
Creating forward momentum across longer phrases in a triumphant style
Articulation clarity for rhythmic brass writing
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
