Morning Madness (a novelty featuring the Percussion Section): Score
A Novelty Featuring the Percussion Section
Arr. Larry Clark
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002062
$8.00
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Description
What strikes a note of fear in every living, breathing man, woman and child? The title of this zany salute 'says it all!' From the insistent buzzing of the alarm clock to the rush hour race down the highway, Morning Madness uses all of the 'morning sounds' and gives your group a marvelous opportunity to become inventive. Be sure to throw in as many visuals as your percussion section can manage. 'Tis a hoot! (3:51)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Morning Madness (a novelty featuring the Percussion Section): Score 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:
268
SKU:
00-PR-0002062
More about this title
About the Arranger: Larry Clark
Larry Clark is a prolific arranger and composer whose work spans concert band, jazz ensemble, and educational settings. His arrangements are known for combining accessibility with musical substance, making them reliable choices for ensembles seeking engaging repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicianship.
Why we love this
Morning Madness succeeds because it takes a concept that could easily collapse into pure silliness and actually delivers musically engaging writing. Your students get to play real parts while the percussion section becomes the comedy engine, which means everyone stays invested in the ensemble sound rather than just waiting for the jokes.
What to expect
Organized chaos meets early morning panic. The piece captures that frantic energy of alarm clocks, traffic, and the general scramble of waking up, all channeled through bright, propulsive concert band writing punctuated by percussion theatrics that swing between genuinely funny and musically clever.
Who it's for
Bands at the Grade 3 level looking for an entertaining concert piece that energizes audiences without requiring specialized soloists or difficult technical demands. This works equally well for school concerts, pops programs, or any context where you want students to have fun while maintaining solid ensemble playing.
How to get the most out of it
- Encourage your percussion section to commit fully to the visual comedy, but rehearse the rhythmic precision separately from the theatrical elements so the humor doesn't undermine the tempo.
- Build in time before the performance to choreograph percussion moments so the visual gags land cleanly without disrupting the ensemble's balance.
- Use this as an opportunity to highlight individual percussion players; a well-executed alarm clock gesture or exaggerated 'rush hour' moment will earn genuine audience laughter and builds performer confidence.
How to use it
Program Morning Madness as a mid-concert momentum shifter, especially in a show that otherwise leans toward standard repertoire or serious works. At under four minutes, it's the perfect palate cleanser that keeps audiences engaged and gives your percussion section a moment to shine as featured performers rather than accompanists.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision under tempo shifts and stylistic contrasts
- Balance and blend while maintaining clear section definition across grade 3 voicings
- Percussion ensemble coordination with multiple simultaneous effects
- Musical interpretation of character and program content
- Confidence performing comedic material with intentional timing