Medal of Freedom Cover Image

Medal of Freedom: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$62.00 USD
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Medal of Freedom Cover Image

Medal of Freedom: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Concert March

By Roland Barrett

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-39522

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Description
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. Bestowed by the President, the award recognizes those individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." This bright, contemporary 2/4 march pays tribute to all past, present, and future winners of the award, and salutes their numerous achievements and contributions. (2:00) 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, Medal of Freedom: 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 Young Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 238
UPC: 038081452814
SKU: 00-39522

More about this title

About the Composer: Roland Barrett

Roland Barrett

Roland Barrett has been a composer and arranger of concert music for over two decades, with more than two hundred published works spanning symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching band repertoire. His music has reached audiences through performances by the Dallas Wind Symphony, All-State and All-Region Honor Bands, and broadcasts on NPR and cable television, as well as at major conventions including the Midwest Band & Orchestra Convention and the International Trumpet Guild.

At the University of Oklahoma, where he joined the faculty in 2001, Barrett teaches music theory and composition with a focus on twentieth-century topics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He also serves as the musical arranger for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band. A multiple recipient of the ASCAPlus award, Barrett's work reflects both his deep engagement with music education and his standing as a nationally recognized composer.

Why we love this

This march distills a complex civic concept into something your band can feel and perform with genuine pride. Barrett's contemporary harmonic language and rhythmic clarity make Grade 2 accessibility feel anything but simplified, giving young players music that respects their musicianship while honoring its subject.

What to expect

The piece radiates optimism and forward momentum, grounded in the ceremony of a march but lifted by contemporary harmonies that prevent it from sounding retro or overly nostalgic. There's an underlying sense of celebration that honors individual achievement without pretension.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the middle school through early high school level looking for patriotic repertoire with musical substance beyond standard march conventions. Directors seeking Grade 2 material that engages both players and audiences with a meaningful narrative will find this especially useful.

How to get the most out of it

  • Clarify the character of the march by establishing a crisp, articulate pulse in rehearsal. The 2/4 meter should feel energetic rather than rushed, which is especially important in a piece celebrating achievement.
  • Balance the melodic statements across your sections so the tribute aspect shines through. This programmatic intent works best when listeners can follow the musical narrative without strain.
  • Let the contemporary harmonic language breathe. Barrett's writing creates color through unexpected chord movements, so avoid over-conducting those moments; let them land naturally.

How to use it

This works well as a concert opener or closer when programming around themes of excellence, community service, or national pride. It also fits naturally into a patriotic concert series or into any program where you want a march that commands respect without requiring advanced technical facility.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading 2/4 meter and maintaining even pulse in march form
  • Balance and blend in tutti passages with full band articulation
  • Contemporary harmonic listening and intonation adjustments
  • Phrasing and character control in a programmatic context

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