John Kinyon's Concert Favorites for Young Band: 1st Cornet Book

Kinyon wrote these pieces with a clear-eyed understanding of what young bands can actually do. The collection pulls from his most effective works across multiple styles, giving your first cornet players material that sounds impressive and feels achievable. Your section gets genuinely musical parts that drive the band forward rather than filler.

A diverse journey through concert music basics. You'll encounter the grounded elegance of classical themes, the infectious energy of marches, the warmth of ballads, and the straightforward joy of patriotic and novelty pieces. Each style serves a purpose in building musicianship.

First cornet players in young concert bands navigating grades 1-3 repertoire. These players need parts that are singable and rewarding without requiring advanced endurance or extreme high register work.

• Lead with clarity and confidence on the lyrical passages; young cornet players often play tentatively when given sustained melody, so modeling a warm, singing tone will anchor the entire band's sound.
• On the march material, establish the tempo firmly and maintain it without rushing through passages that feel comfortable under the fingers.
• Balance brilliance in the upper register against precision in the technical passages; avoid the temptation to overshadow the ensemble when the cornet has the dominant line.

Build a concert around three or four selections from this book, pairing contrasting styles to maintain audience interest and showcase your players' range. A march followed by a ballad, then a holiday piece or overture, gives young bands the chance to demonstrate their growth across different musical contexts without overextending rehearsal time.

• Reading flowing melodic lines in treble clef
• Playing marked dynamic and articulation changes
• Executing secure intonation in the upper register
• Balancing solo responsibility with ensemble awareness
• Phrasing and shaping classical, march, and character music styles