More Cowbell: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

More Cowbell: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: More Cowbell: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24637
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mark Williams

Grade: 1 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-24637

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More Cowbell was inspired by the famous television skit featuring a rock band, a record producer, and an over-zealous cowbell player. If the cowbell player is good at hamming it up (and rocking out!), you could try the following staging suggestions: Cowbell player plays with intensity and lots of movement, and starts moving in measure 17 toward the front of the band, ending up next to the conductor in measure 24, bowing to the audience on beat 4. Conductor gives a stern look and gestures to student to get back in the percussion section (possibilities: "slit throat" gesture with side of first finger followed by pointing forcefully to the back, or similar gestures). Student slinks back, starts playing cowbell again, but quietly this time. Playing gradually picks up intensity, and player starts again toward the front in measure 41, reaching the front by measure 48. In measure 48, either A) Conductor waves hands violently for student to stop, or B) have a couple of students place a large blanket over the cowbell player. This works, but only for one measure (player quits and doesn't move in bar 49). Cowbell player resumes playing with a vengeance in measure 50 (either in spite of the teacher or under the blanket!). Make sure your new "rock star" takes another bow at the end of the piece. Have fun, and may your life always have more cowbell! Correlated with Accent on Achievement, Book 1, page 27. 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, More Cowbell: 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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Series: Accent on Achievement

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 128

UPC: 038081278117

SKU: 00-24637

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Williams

Mark Williams built his reputation as one of the most prolific and accessible composers for school ensembles. A co-author of the Accent on Achievement Band Method, he published over 200 works for band, orchestra, and choir while maintaining an active schedule as a clinician and guest conductor across 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia. His work earned recognition from the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards.

Based in Spokane, Washington for much of his career, Williams specialized in elementary band and brought deep practical knowledge to his compositions. He held degrees from Eastern Washington University and performed professionally on bassoon while serving as conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band. His background as both a performer and educator shaped his distinctive approach to writing music that is both musically satisfying and pedagogically sound.

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Why we love this

This piece delivers pure joy and permission to be silly in the concert hall, which students desperately need. The staging instructions are gold; they transform a novelty concept into genuine theater that keeps the audience engaged and laughing while your band plays solidly underneath. Williams knows exactly how to write for young ensembles, and here he proves that humor and musicianship are not mutually exclusive.

What to expect

Picture a rock band that will not be denied. The cowbell drives everything with relentless intensity, while the band grooves underneath with infectious energy and just enough musical substance to feel real. The humor comes not from cuteness but from commitment; this piece works because the writing is genuinely solid and the concept is executed with style.

Who it's for

Grade 1 bands with enough maturity to handle a comedic concept without losing focus, and directors willing to embrace staged performance as a legitimate teaching tool. This works especially well for end-of-year concerts or community events where you want to showcase your ensemble's musicality while having genuine fun.

How to get the most out of it

Cast your cowbell soloist thoughtfully. This role rewards a student with strong stage presence and a willingness to commit fully to the bit; the better the hamming, the better the piece lands.
Rehearse the conductor-student interaction as deliberately as you would a tightly choreographed passage. Clear gestures (the ones described in the staging notes work beautifully) make the comedy legible to the audience.
Balance the ensemble sound so the cowbell cuts through without the rest of the band feeling secondary. Your rhythm section should groove with genuine rock energy to support both the musical comedy and the staging.
Time the cowbell player's movements precisely. Measure numbers give you clear cues; practice the exits and entrances with a metronome so transitions feel intentional rather than chaotic.

How to use it

Use this as a set closer or the final piece on a concert when your audience is engaged and ready to laugh. The staging works best in venues where students can move freely, and programming it alongside one or two more serious selections gives your band a chance to show range and personality in a single concert.