Mosswood Lullaby: E-flat Baritone Saxophone
By Brian Beck
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015337_BTX
$3.00
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Description
With sweeping melodic lines and ample opportunities for phrasing and dynamics, this original work provides a wonderful moment of expression for any performance. The piece was written as a gift by the composer to long-time friends Gary and Brittney Williams to celebrate the birth of Olivia Paige Williams in 2008 on behalf of the Byrd Middle School Symphonic Band, and was premiered at the 2009 TMEA CCC Honor Band Concert with Mrs. Williams as the conductor. (2:20) 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, Mosswood Lullaby: E-flat Baritone Saxophone 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:
Alfred Debut Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
118
SKU:
00-PC-0015337_BTX
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Beck
Brian Beck is a composer and arranger whose works have earned recognition across regional and national platforms, from TMEA Honor Band performances to UIL state competitions and teaching resource collections. His compositions span instrumental and vocal ensembles, and his teaching experience includes director positions at both Faubion Middle School in McKinney, Texas and Byrd Middle School in Duncanville, Texas, where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2008-09.
Beck holds degrees in music education from Texas A&M University-Commerce (bachelor's) and the University of Houston (master's). His bands have consistently earned Superior ratings at UIL contests and advanced to state honor band competitions; the Faubion Symphonic I Band performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in 2012. His compositions have been featured in Teaching Music Through Performance In Band and appear on prescribed music lists across the South and Midwest.
Why we love this
This piece balances genuine musicality with accessibility in a way that serves Grade 1 bands well. Beck's compositional voice comes through in the sweeping melodic writing and dynamic contours, which give young musicians something meaningful to shape and interpret rather than simply play through. At 2:20, it fits naturally into any concert program and works equally well as a festival selection.
What to expect
Mosswood Lullaby unfolds with gentle, flowing melodic writing that invites players into a reflective space. The piece has an intimate quality despite being written for full band, with sweeping lines that encourage legato playing and careful listening to blend.
Who it's for
Grade 1 concert bands preparing repertoire for festivals, concerts, or community performances will find this piece straightforward to prepare without sacrificing musical substance. Directors looking for original works that allow students to develop phrasing and dynamic sensitivity in an accessible context will appreciate Beck's approach.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melodic lines by thinking in phrases rather than measures. Young players often need reminding that a melody breathes, so conducting with clear phrase arcs helps the band hear where to lean and release.
- Encourage the lead voice to play with a singing tone regardless of instrument. This is a lullaby in spirit, so tone quality directly affects whether the piece communicates warmth or sounds thin.
- Balance inner voices carefully. With Grade 1 writing, harmonic support can easily mask the melody if sections aren't listening to the overall sound.
- Invest rehearsal time in dynamic control across the full range, not just fortissimo passages. Managing softer dynamics and gradual shifts is where young bands often need the most guidance.
How to use it
Program this as a contrasting moment between more energetic works on a concert. Its compact length and approachable difficulty make it ideal for mid-year or spring programming when bands are ready to explore dynamic nuance but not yet tackling advanced technical demands.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping long melodic phrases with consistent tone and support
- Dynamic control and gradual crescendos and diminuendos
- Ensemble balance and voice leading at an introductory level
- Sustaining legato playing across full phrases