Mystery Bay March: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Mystery Bay March: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Mystery Bay March: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-37794
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Steve Hodges

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-37794

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This exciting march evokes the drama of a chase. During Prohibition days the remote waters off northwest Washington's coast were frequently used by smugglers whose regular disappearance was categorized by the Coast Guard as "mysterious," hence the name of the bay. This piece will be a dynamic addition to any concert or festival program. (2:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mystery Bay March: 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: Challenger Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 124

UPC: 038081436210

SKU: 00-37794

More about this title

About the Composer: Steve Hodges

Steve Hodges holds degrees from Western Oregon University (Bachelor of Science) and Central Washington University (Master of Music Education). His four decades directing bands, choirs, and ensembles across public schools gave him deep insight into what student musicians need to play and what audiences want to hear.

Since 1986, Hodges has composed over 120 concert band works published by Alfred Music, with additional choral arrangements through Staff Music and Shawnee Press. His music appears regularly at state conventions and festivals worldwide, and has been featured on TBS and ESPN broadcasts. Commissioned by honor bands and schools from Virginia to British Columbia, his catalog demonstrates the trust educators place in his writing. Hodges lives in The Dalles, Oregon, where he remains active in community music and takes particular joy when his grandchildren report playing his compositions in their own school bands.

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Why we love this

Hodges crafts marches that grip an audience without demanding virtuosity from your ensemble. The historical narrative of Prohibition-era smuggling gives this piece genuine character beyond surface excitement, making it memorable on both concert and festival stages. At Grade 1.5, it's genuinely playable for developing bands while sounding polished and intentional.

What to expect

Energy pulses through this march as if you're watching boats vanish into fog and reappear unexpectedly. The orchestration creates motion and intrigue rather than bombast, with a sense of pursuit and evasion woven throughout. It's the sound of a story being told at concert tempo.

Who it's for

Concert bands working at the Grade 1.5 level benefit most from Mystery Bay March, whether in their first or second year. Directors seeking concert or festival repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musical substance will find a piece that students enjoy learning and audiences appreciate hearing.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the tempo steady and purposeful; this piece thrives on forward momentum rather than hesitation. The dramatic character depends on clarity in execution.
Balance the trumpet section against the low brass to maintain the chase atmosphere. Neither should overwhelm; think of them as pursuer and pursued.
Mark any cut-offs and releases clearly in rehearsal. The piece's energy dissipates quickly if sections aren't decisive about when notes end.
Let the woodwinds breathe together during their featured moments. They carry melodic responsibility at times when brass drops back, so support their phrasing.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener to capture attention immediately, or place it mid-program for a mood shift when you need to energize an audience after a lyrical piece. It pairs naturally with other contest or festival selections and works equally well in spring pops concerts or traditional band showcases.