How To Train Your Dragon Part 1: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by John Powell / Arranged by Michael Brown
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00259336
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Description
(This Is Berk)
From the popular animated film, John Powell's dynamic film score features soaring melodies and a distinctive Celtic flavor! This exciting opening production has plenty of drive, along with a brief calm section for variety.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00259336
More about this title
About the Artist: John Powell
John Powell is a composer whose film scores have defined the sound of contemporary animation. His work spans blockbuster franchises and intimate character pieces, consistently demonstrating a gift for melody that serves story without overwhelming it. In the educational setting, his arrangements showcase how orchestral writing translates to ensemble performance, giving students insight into professional compositional craft.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious energy of "This Is Berk" while remaining genuinely playable at the high school level. Michael Brown has preserved Powell's harmonic sophistication and that unmistakable Celtic lift without sacrificing clarity or balance, making it a rewarding choice for groups looking to program something current and engaging that doesn't compromise musical substance.
What to expect
Soaring and spirited, with a folk sensibility that feels both epic and intimate. There's lightness and joy in the melody, balanced by moments of reflection that remind you this score serves a story about finding home.
Who it's for
High school marching bands seeking contemporary material that connects with students through film music they know. Groups at the Grade 4 level ready to tackle harmonic color and sustained phrasing while maintaining the visual and acoustic demands of marching performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the rhythmic precision of the opening figures in the brass. That driving momentum is what gives this piece its character, so lock the attack and releases together.
- Balance the melody between first and second parts during the soaring sections. Both voices carry important material, and equal voicing will prevent the line from sounding thin.
- Use the calm section as a true contrast by dropping the dynamic several notches and encouraging a warmer, more legato approach from the woodwinds.
- Let the percussion part breathe on its own during transitions. The drums and mallets provide crucial definition without needing to be buried under the full ensemble sound.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to immediately engage an audience, or use it as the anchor for a film music themed show. Its Grade 4 difficulty makes it appropriate for early season programming while still offering enough musical substance to satisfy late-season audiences.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical lines across phrase boundaries without sacrificing articulation
- Balancing harmonic color in a full ensemble without muddying individual voice clarity
- Responding to dynamic contrast and sectional independence in marching formation
- Understanding how film composers develop memorable themes through orchestration
- Executing rapid articulation transitions between marcato and legato passages