Jericho: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jericho remains one of the most significant original compositions for band, blending vivid programmatic storytelling with the technical and musical demands that prepare a band for serious repertoire. The inclusion of Col. Arnald Gabriel's interpretive analysis in the conductor's score elevates this work beyond a performance piece into a teaching document, offering directors insight into the musical narrative and compositional intent. At Grade 5, it delivers festival-quality substance without compromising accessibility.

Jericho unfolds as a dramatic reimagining of biblical siege and triumph, with Gould's orchestration capturing tension, fanfare, and resolution. The work commands attention through bold colors and architectural sweep, making powerful demands on ensemble cohesion while rewarding disciplined preparation with moments of genuine grandeur.

This score and parts set is essential for directors preparing a Grade 5 concert band for festival competition or concert performance. Advanced high school bands, college-level ensembles, and community bands seeking a substantial American classic will find both the musical richness and pedagogical value this work offers.

• Balance the sectional independence throughout; Gould's orchestration often features dialogue between different choirs of the band, and clarity depends on each section understanding its weight relative to surrounding voices.
• Shape the piece architecturally across its full 11-minute span. The work builds through accumulation and restatement rather than constant forward momentum, so resist rushing transitions between major sections.
• Use Gabriel's analysis in the score actively during rehearsal. His notes illuminate the program and the compositional choices that support it, giving students a framework for interpreting dynamics and character.
• Pay particular attention to intonation in sustained harmonic passages, where the layering of multiple parts exposes tuning issues common in Grade 5 bands.

Schedule Jericho as a substantial mid-program work that anchors a concert around American concert band classics, or program it as a festival showcase piece that demonstrates a band's technical and musical maturity. Its contest heritage and pedagogical value make it equally suited to a concert setting where you want to highlight ensemble achievement.

• Balancing sectional independence within multi-choir textures
• Reading and executing dynamic nuance across extended harmonic passages
• Sustained tone quality and intonation in layered arrangements
• Following programmatic narrative through musical development
• Ensemble coordination in transitions between contrasting sections