Mountain Song: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$45.00 USD

Mountain Song: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Mountain Song: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-20100726
Price: 45.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Jared Spears

Item: 36-20100726

$45.00

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This is a piece to consider for that lyric number in your concerts. The old American hymn How Firm a Foundation is presented in a effective straightforward setting that enhances its natural beauty. Provide an opportunity to develop tone in your band with this work.

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Series: Great Works Publishing - LudwigMasters

Publisher: LUDWIGMASTERS

UPC: 604634027701

SKU: 36-20100726

Instrumentation: Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: Jared Spears

Jared Spears spent 32 years building the music program at Arkansas State University as Professor of Music before retiring in 1999 to focus full time on composition and conducting. His training spans multiple institutions: Northern Illinois University for music education, the Cosmopolitan School of Music for percussion and composition, and Northwestern University for doctoral work in composition, where he studied with notable figures including Alan Stout and Anthony Donato.

Over his career, Spears has composed more than 250 works across band, choir, orchestra, and chamber settings, with performances and recordings reaching audiences worldwide. His achievements include the Faricy Award for Creative Music from Northwestern, the University President's Award at Arkansas State, multiple ASCAP awards, and recognitions from the National Band Association and National Federation of Music Clubs. He has guest conducted festivals and clinics across North America and Europe, sharing his deep experience in music education and composition with students and professionals alike.

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Why we love this

Spears takes a hymn many of your musicians already know and trusts the material to speak for itself. Rather than swamping the tune with unnecessary counterpoint or harmonic complexity, he lets the melody breathe and gives your band real work in achieving the lyrical, resonant tone the piece demands. This is the kind of setting that teaches ensemble blend without preaching it.

What to expect

The arrangement honors the hymn's quiet dignity and steady faith. Spears preserves the tune's direct emotional impact while surrounding it with warm, supportive harmonies that let singers and listeners alike feel the weight of the text. The sound is honest and grounded, without sentimentality.

Who it's for

This work suits concert bands looking for a substantial melodic vehicle that doesn't demand extensive solo soloists or technical pyrotechnics. It works equally well for mid-level high school bands and college ensembles, since the musical challenge centers on tone production and balance rather than rhythmic or harmonic complexity.

How to get the most out of it

Resist the urge to rush through the slower sections. The beauty of How Firm a Foundation lives in sustained phrasing and careful breath control across the ensemble.
Shape the inner voices with as much care as the melody. Spears has written supporting parts that deserve clarity, not just harmonic filler.
Tune the thirds and sevenths in the chords deliberately. A straightforward setting like this exposes intonation issues quickly, which makes it an excellent diagnostic tool.

How to use it

Place this as a ballad moment in a concert that might otherwise lean toward faster, brighter fare. It pairs well alongside more energetic selections and gives your audience a moment of reflection. The piece also serves as an excellent rehearsal tool for teaching tone quality and blend during the weeks leading up to a concert.