Mars ("The Bringer of War," from <I>The Planets</I>) Cover Image

Mars ("The Bringer of War," from <I>The Planets</I>): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$68.00 USD
$68.00 USD
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Mars ("The Bringer of War," from <I>The Planets</I>) Cover Image
Mars ("The Bringer of War," from The Planets): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Mars ("The Bringer of War," from The Planets): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

By Gustav Holst / arr. Michael Story

Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-BD9706
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Description
In all of music literature, there is little that is more breathtaking in its raw musical power than this movement from Gustav Holst's The Planets. A thundering war theme introduces the work in a dramatic 5/4 meter with hugely successful harmonic and rhythmic counterpoint. Mars is guaranteed to bring your audience to its feet, resounding with applause! (3:16)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mars ("The Bringer of War," from The Planets): 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: Belwin Concert Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 158
UPC: 029156274691
SKU: 00-BD9706

More about this title

About the Composer: Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer whose orchestral suite The Planets stands as one of the most performed and recognizable works in classical music. Though trained in the Romantic tradition, Holst developed a distinctive voice that blended folk melody, modal harmony, and imaginative orchestration. He spent much of his career teaching at St. Paul's Girls' School in London, where he championed music education and composed works specifically for student musicians.

Holst's legacy rests partly on his gift for writing music that works across multiple instrumental combinations. The Planets, composed between 1914 and 1916, showcases his ability to paint vivid musical portraits through orchestration. His willingness to arrange and adapt his own work for different ensembles reflects his belief that great music should be accessible to performers at all levels.

Why we love this

Mars lands at Grade 3 without losing a shred of Holst's original impact. Michael Story's arrangement preserves the relentless rhythmic drive and harmonic language that makes this movement so viscerally exciting, while keeping the orchestration lean enough for a developing band to execute cleanly. Programming this piece virtually guarantees an engaged audience and gives your students a legitimate masterwork to sink their teeth into.

What to expect

A relentless march into battle. The opening theme sounds like drums and marching feet before any melody appears, and once it does, the rhythm refuses to stop or soften. Energy and tension build with every repeat, harmonic movement, and orchestral layer added, creating a sense of inevitable forward motion that justifies the piece's reputation for bringing audiences to their feet.

Who it's for

Directors looking to program a showstopping opener or closer that delivers genuine musical substance. Students in Grades 3-5 bands will find the 5/4 meter challenging but highly rewarding, and the piece offers every section meaningful material rather than relegating half the band to \"oom-pah\" accompaniment.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the 5/4 meter early in rehearsals with a consistent conducting pattern. The unusual meter feels natural once students internalize the pulse, but rushing the preparation will derail everything that follows.
  • Balance the war theme between sections rather than letting brass overwhelm the ensemble. The piece demands volume and intensity, but Holst's counterpoint only works when multiple lines remain audible.
  • Shape the dynamic arc across the entire movement instead of treating climaxes as individual moments. This piece builds relentlessly, and the final impact depends on disciplined control throughout.
  • Anchor the rhythm section to support the driving pulse without dragging the tempo. The percussion and low winds carry the heartbeat of Mars; if they breathe together, the whole band will follow.

How to use it

Open a concert with Mars to grab immediate attention, or close the first half with it to send the audience out buzzing. Pair it with lighter works or contrasting styles (American songbook arrangements, folk suites) to let this movement's intensity shine. It also works beautifully as a bridge between concert and marching season, giving your ensemble a powerful unison experience before the demands of field work begin.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and internalizing 5/4 meter
  • Balancing multiple simultaneous rhythmic and melodic lines
  • Building and sustaining dynamic intensity across a longer form
  • Executing precise articulation in fast rhythmic figures
  • Understanding harmonic counterpoint by ear

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