Illusions: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Oare
Grade: 1
Item: 35-PK00306374
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Illusions - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Flute | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Oboe | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bassoon | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Clarinet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Clarinet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Bass Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Eb Alto Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Bb Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Trombone/Baritone B.C. | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Baritone T.C. | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Tuba | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Percussion 2 | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Mallet Percussion | $6.00 | |
| Illusions - Timpani | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
An illusion can be defined as something that seems different than it really is. In this unique piece for very young players, Michael Oare uses shifting tonal centers to intentionally deceive the listener in order to create a musical illusion. It provides an opportunity for careful use of notes from the chromatic scale in a striking and fun setting! Dur: 1:55
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00306374
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Oare
Michael Oare holds degrees in both Music Composition and Music Education from Old Dominion University and brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositional voice. For 33 years he directed the bands at Great Bridge Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia, where his ensembles earned superior ratings for 32 consecutive years, and he has since conducted the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia Concert Band. His works, including "To Dream in Brushstrokes" and "Equilibrium," appear in GIA Publications' "Teaching Music Through Performance" series, and he maintains active involvement with the Virginia Wind Symphony, state and national music education organizations, and ASCAP.
Oare's recognition includes the 2016 Chesapeake Public Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year award, two National Band Association Citations of Excellence, and multiple listings in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. His deep understanding of young musicians' needs shapes compositions that balance pedagogical value with genuine musical interest.
Why we love this
Oare crafts something genuinely unusual here: a piece that teaches chromatic writing and tonal ambiguity without sacrificing the fun and accessibility that Grade 1 bands need. The musical deception feels intentional and playful rather than confusing, making it a standout choice for directors seeking to expand their students' harmonic vocabulary early on.
What to expect
The piece unsettles expectations pleasantly. Just when listeners think they've found solid ground harmonically, the ground shifts beneath them. It's playful and slightly mysterious, with the kind of clever musical wit that makes young musicians feel like they're in on something sophisticated.
Who it's for
Young concert bands at the Grade 1 level who are ready to explore chromatic harmony and tonal relationships in a musically engaging context. Directors developing students' ears for subtle harmonic shifts will find this piece especially valuable for fostering active, critical listening.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the shifting tonal centers by having students listen carefully to which notes anchor each section; mark the score to show where the perceived 'home' key changes, and rehearse those transitions deliberately so they become audible to the ensemble.
- Keep the ensemble engaged with the illusion by maintaining a steady pulse throughout. The chromatic movement can muddy the sense of time if ensemble members rush or drag.
- Record a rehearsal and listen back with your students. Hearing how the piece tricks the ear helps them understand Oare's compositional intent and deepens their investment in executing the effect cleanly.
How to use it
Place this early in a concert to grab attention and set a creative tone. Its brevity (1:55) and novelty make it an ideal opener or a palate cleanser between more traditional selections. It also works beautifully as a teaching demonstration piece, showcasing how composers manipulate expectation to create emotional effect.
Skills your students will build
- Chromatic scale literacy and fingering accuracy across the band
- Recognizing and executing tonal center shifts
- Ensemble balance when harmonic function is ambiguous
- Active listening to harmonic movement rather than relying on familiar major/minor patterns
- Attention to detail in articulation and tone color that clarifies harmonic intent