Level Up!: 1st B-flat Trumpet

Connor writes for young bands with real understanding of what makes a piece both playable and genuinely exciting to perform. The percussion-driven opening and clear melodic payoff give every section memorable material, which means your students will stay engaged through rehearsal and deliver a polished performance without grinding through tedious passages.

Inspired by video game soundtracks, this piece has that same sense of adventure and stakes. It opens with percussive intensity and low brass weight, then breaks into a sweeping melodic moment that feels earned, creating momentum and excitement throughout.

Grade 2 concert bands looking for a showcase opener or contest selection that delivers real musical payoff without excessive technical demands. Directors will appreciate parts that allow every section to contribute meaningfully while still keeping the piece accessible for developing students.

• Establish a strong, locked pulse between percussion and low brass in the opening section. This foundation makes the woodwind and trumpet lines sit confidently on top.
• Balance the trumpets' triumphant melody so it soars without overwhelming the supporting voices. The contrast between the opening's textural intensity and this broad section is the piece's dramatic heart.
• Give the percussion intentional articulation and clarity throughout. These parts drive the energy, so crisp attacks and defined dynamics shape the entire band's response.

Open a concert with this piece to set an energetic tone and immediately demonstrate your band's musicianship. Its video game aesthetic also works well on a program with other contemporary or film-inspired works, or as a confident festival entry that shows both technical control and interpretive maturity.

• Ensemble balance between percussion-driven textures and sustained melodic lines
• Dynamic contrast and shaping of broad, sustained phrases
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated and complex percussion patterns
• Coordinating articulation and phrasing across multiple sections with different material