High Desert March: Score
By Steve Hodges
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PR-0007281
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Description
High Desert March, by Steve Hodges, is a march that captures the excitement and occasional drama of a long hike in the high desert. Adventure awaits as the young hikers begin their trek, prepared to overcome any obstacles that may come their way. (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, High Desert March: Score 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:
Developing Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007281
More about this title
About the Composer: Steve Hodges
Steve Hodges holds degrees from Western Oregon University (Bachelor of Science) and Central Washington University (Master of Music Education). He spent four decades in public school music education, directing concert bands, choirs, and chamber ensembles across multiple grade levels before retiring from the classroom.
Since 1986, Hodges has composed and arranged over 120 works for concert band published by Alfred Music, along with choral arrangements released through Staff Music and Shawnee Press. His compositions have been performed internationally at festivals and state conventions, and commissioned by honor bands and school districts in Virginia, Iowa, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina. His work has also been licensed by major media outlets including TBS and ESPN. Hodges is an ASCAP member and currently lives in The Dalles, Oregon, where he remains active in community music.
Why we love this
High Desert March delivers exactly what a Grade 1.5 band needs: a piece that sounds mature and exciting without demanding technical virtuosity. Hodges builds dramatic tension and genuine excitement through smart orchestration and pacing rather than complex passages, making this an ideal choice for young ensembles that want to sound accomplished at a festival or concert.
What to expect
High Desert March captures the spirit of adventure and determination without sentimentality. Young hikers set out with purpose; the music propels forward with occasional dramatic swells that hint at the challenges they might face. It's energizing, straightforward, and satisfying.
Who it's for
Grade 1.5 concert bands looking for a piece that builds confidence and musicality without exceeding technical reach. This march works equally well for groups preparing for festivals, building concert programs, or developing students' sense of ensemble sound and dynamic control.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with gradual dynamic growth; even at this grade level, bands respond well when you ask them to think about building energy rather than playing at a steady volume.
- Balance the melodic voices against the march rhythm section. Young bands often let the bass drum and snare dominate; work for clarity of line so the hiking adventure story comes through.
- Find the dramatic moments where the piece shifts tone and use them as rehearsal landmarks. These transitions help students track the narrative arc and give them something to aim for beyond just hitting the right notes.
How to use it
Program this as a strong opener or closer on a concert; its confident character sets an excellent tone without demanding the audience's full attention for complex harmonies. It also pairs naturally with other Grade 1-2 pieces that emphasize storytelling or descriptive imagery.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining phrases across full measures at marching tempo
- Balancing melody and accompaniment textures
- Responding to dynamic and tempo changes that reflect musical narrative
- Ensemble precision in rhythmic figures common to march form
- Reading and executing articulation markings that clarify musical intent