In the Center Ring: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$90.00 USD

In the Center Ring: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: In the Center Ring: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-23313
Price: 90.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert Sheldon

Grade: 4 (Medium Difficult)

Item: 00-23313

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$90.00

Shipped

One moment…

"In The Center Ring" was written in the autumn of 2003 for the Upper Antioch Grade School Band from Antioch, Illinois, Earl Bush, director. The piece is a musical snapshot of a circus performance, from the madcap antics of the jugglers and clowns to the elegance of the high-wire and trapeze performers. This wild musical romp is certainly a technical challenge, but is also great fun for the performer and listener alike. Above all, remember this is a theatrical piece - so emphasize the dynamics, bring out the inherent comedy and have FUN! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, In the Center Ring: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 292

ISBN10: 1-4706-5758-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5758-1

UPC: 038081233284

SKU: 00-23313

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon stands among the most widely performed composers in wind band repertoire. His works appear regularly on contest and concert programs worldwide, and his accolades from the American School Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP reflect the depth of musical craftsmanship his compositions consistently deliver. He is also the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, a resource widely used in schools across North America.

Sheldon's career extends far beyond the page. He maintains an active schedule as guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, presents clinics at universities and state music education conferences, and has conducted his own works in some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall Boston, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. His international conducting experience spans Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Sheldon understands exactly how to build a Grade 4 band's confidence and musicianship through theatrical storytelling. The piece delivers authentic technical challenge (which your students will respect) without sacrificing the accessibility that makes them want to come to rehearsal. Programming this is a gift to any concert because audiences consistently respond to its character and energy.

What to expect

Sheldon's score captures the frantic energy of the big top: juggling patterns tumble past, clown antics punctuate with sudden bursts, and the high-wire trapeze music soars with genuine grace and elegance. The piece swings between madcap humor and moments of surprising beauty, always maintaining the sense of spectacle and controlled excitement that defines a live circus performance.

Who it's for

Grade 4 concert bands with the technical facility and musical maturity to handle syncopated passages, dynamic extremes, and sustained ensemble focus. Directors seeking a piece that challenges students while delivering unambiguous audience appeal will find this ideal for a winter or spring concert.

How to get the most out of it

Treat the entire performance as a staging opportunity. The score's dynamic markings are not suggestions; they are essential to the narrative. A murmur becomes a shout; a swirl becomes chaos. Your commitment to theatrical interpretation will unlock your students' best playing.
Lock the rhythmic precision of the opening sections by rehearsing problem passages as a rhythm section first (woodwinds and brass keeping time together). Sheldon's circus tableau demands tight ensemble coordination before it can breathe.
Balance the comedy in the clown and juggler sections against the genuine lyricism of the high-wire music. These contrasts should feel intentional and vivid, not accidental shifts in style.

How to use it

Open a concert with this piece to establish energy and audience engagement immediately, or close the first half with its theatrical payoff. The contrast between its comedic sections and lyrical moments makes it an excellent anchor for a program featuring more traditional concert literature, demonstrating your band's range and musicality.