Legend of Old Abe: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By James Curnow
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00311543
$55.00
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Description
Named after President Lincoln, "Old Abe" was a famous bald eagle who served as mascot for the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. "Legend of Old Abe" is a marvelously descriptive work for young bands that takes the listener on a journey of Old Abe's exploits. From a peaceful and serene opening the work progresses through the sounds of conflict and battle. The mood turns reflective and then triumphant as the music celebrates this amazing true story. A wonderful cross-curricular opportunity for your bandroom as you bring history to life through music.
Dur: 3:50
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00311543
More about this title
About the Composer: James Curnow
James Curnow stands among the most prolific composers for concert band, with a catalog spanning from student-level works to advanced repertoire. His writing consistently demonstrates a gift for clarity and melodic accessibility, making complex musical ideas available to younger ensembles without sacrificing sophistication. Curnow's deep understanding of band instrumentation and pedagogical sequencing has shaped how generations of students experience ensemble performance.
Why we love this
The narrative arc here genuinely engages students in the music rather than asking them to simply execute notes. Curnow's orchestration allows every section to carry the story forward, which means your flutes hear their role in the peaceful opening and your brass understands the weight they carry during the battle sections. The Grade 2 accessibility combined with the historical substance makes this a rare piece that works equally well for pure musicianship and as a teaching moment about American history.
What to expect
Serene and expansive early on, with the sense of watching something noble from a distance. The middle passages capture genuine turbulence and struggle, then gradually resolve into a triumphant energy that feels earned rather than bombastic.
Who it's for
Developing concert bands ready to handle an emotional arc and interested in narrative-based repertoire. The Grade 2 level makes it accessible for middle school bands and newer high school ensembles while still offering enough substance to reward careful preparation.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening with a sense of quiet majesty rather than fragility; Old Abe's character should come through even in stillness.
- Maintain clarity in the battle section by treating rhythmic precision as a voice rather than a texture. Each part remains singable even when the full band sounds turbulent.
- Allow the reflective middle passage breathing room. Young bands often rush reflective material, but here the contrast depends on genuine space between phrases.
- Build the final triumph gradually. Resist the impulse to jump to full intensity all at once; let the forward motion feel earned from the earlier quieter moments.
How to use it
This works beautifully as an opening concert piece when you want to set a reflective or patriotic tone. It also pairs well on a program that includes other historical or American repertoire. Consider placing it where audiences need engaging storytelling rather than pure musical complexity.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing across sectional changes and dynamic ranges
- Shaping sustained tones with purpose and direction
- Rhythmic precision during faster, complex passages
- Balance awareness when multiple musical lines compete
- Following a large-scale form with contrasting sections