Land of the Midnight Sun: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Vince Gassi
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0001429
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Description
Follow Crow on his epic journey southward and back as he attempts to bring daylight to the people of the far north. Inspired by the Inuit myth "Crow Brings the Daylight," this colorful piece, filled with haunting harmonies and energetic rhythms, was written for and dedicated to the Inuksuk High School Band in Iqaluit, Canada. (2:45) 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, Land of the Midnight Sun: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
182
SKU:
00-PK-0001429
More about this title
About the Composer: Vince Gassi
Vince Gassi has established himself as a prolific composer with over 100 published works since joining Alfred Music in 2006. His background spans formal training at the University of Western Ontario, advanced studies at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, and doctoral work at York University in Toronto. For more than two decades, he has taught instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels while building a reputation as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States and Canada.
Gassi's compositions are known for balancing musical substance with accessibility, earning frequent performances at major venues including the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and international stages across North America, Europe, and Japan. His workshops on creative engagement and digital workflows reflect his commitment to both teaching and empowering music directors. His works consistently appear on concert and contest programs, cementing his position as a trusted voice in contemporary band literature.
Why we love this
Gassi has crafted a piece that respects both the story and your ensemble's abilities. The program note does real work here, students understand they're bringing an Inuit legend to life rather than simply playing notes on a page. The combination of haunting harmonies and energetic rhythms keeps the middle school audience engaged while presenting genuine compositional challenges within Grade 2 reach.
What to expect
The music evokes vast, snow-covered landscapes punctuated by moments of wonder and movement. Energetic rhythmic passages propel Crow's journey forward, while harmonic passages create a haunting, reflective quality that honors the mythological source material.
Who it's for
This piece suits Grade 2 bands with developing musicality who are ready for more sophisticated storytelling and harmonic language. It works equally well for groups preparing for concert festivals or contest play, offering substantive music that does not demand virtuosic technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the harmonies breathe. The 'haunting' quality Gassi writes depends on clean voice leading and balanced sonorities; resist the urge to push tempo through the slower, reflective passages.
- Build the narrative arc intentionally. This journey has a clear emotional shape, establish that in early rehearsals so students play with purpose rather than just counting measures.
- Highlight the percussion color palette. The rhythmic energy often emerges from strategic doublings and layering rather than from sheer volume; make sure those parts sit clearly without drowning the melodic lines.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece that bridges your band's technical abilities with more ambitious musical storytelling. It pairs well with lighter concert openers or more challenging closing works, offering a natural standalone feature that audiences find memorable.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining harmonic colors through longer phrases
- Balancing rhythmic precision with expressive phrasing
- Reading and performing mixed dynamic levels within sections
- Executing clean section transitions and structural awareness
- Responding to narrative cues in instrumental music