Nature's Way: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Gunther Schuller
Grade: 5
Item: 35-PK00425655
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Description
From the composer: "Nature's Way for intermediate level band was commissioned by BandQuest, a project initiated by the American Composers Forum. Their mission is for major composers of national reputation to write works of high quality that take into consideration the (still comparatively limited) levels of musical development--both technical and conceptual--typical of such ensembles. I eagerly accepted the commission and the challenges implied thereby--that is, to reign in my creative imagination to some extent and limit the technical/conceptual demands to a more moderate level than is to be found in my previous compositions for band. Nonetheless, since the process of rehearsing, studying and performing a work created specifically for the school student market is--and must be, in my view--primarily educational, it was very clear to me that my work would (and should) challenge the players at least to their top levels, and even a little beyond that. Thus "Nature's Way" in no way represents a compromise of my personal style, nor my long held concepts of form, continuity, texture, and instrumentation. I have known for a long time that young, inquisitive minds are eager to learn from new experiences, from previously never encountered challenges, that is to say, to be pushed--gently--to rise above their present levels of achievement. That's what education is all about."
BandQuest, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece. Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email bandquest@composersforum.org to request a free downloadable audio catalog.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00425655
More about this title
About the Composer: Gunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller is a composer, conductor, and theorist whose influence on American music spans decades. His work bridges classical modernism and jazz, and he has written extensively for educational ensembles while maintaining uncompromising artistic standards. As president of the New England Conservatory and a passionate advocate for music education, Schuller has shaped generations of musicians through both his compositions and his leadership.
Schuller's approach to writing for student ensembles reflects a core belief: young musicians should be challenged, not coddled. His works for intermediate bands and orchestras demand real musicianship while remaining accessible, creating opportunities for genuine growth rather than repetitive busywork.
Why we love this
Schuller's gift for writing substantive music at achievable technical levels shows throughout this work. Rather than simplifying his musical language, he maintains his distinctive compositional voice while setting reasonable but genuine demands on your ensemble. This score exemplifies what serious music education looks like: your students will engage with sophisticated form and orchestration ideas while still being able to execute them.
What to expect
Nature's Way evokes a sense of organic growth and subtle landscape shifts rather than bombastic statements. The textures breathe and evolve with careful orchestration that rewards attentive listening, creating moments of genuine beauty without sacrificing musical substance.
Who it's for
This work belongs in the folder of intermediate concert bands aiming to program substantial contemporary music. Directors seeking to expose students to serious 20th century American composers will find a piece that respects their developing musicianship without patronizing it.
How to get the most out of it
- Study the full score yourself before sectionals. Schuller layers his textures carefully, and understanding how the voicing works across the ensemble helps you guide individual sections toward their exact function in the larger picture.
- Pay attention to balance in the middle voices. Intermediate bands often lean heavily on melody and bass; this piece requires your altos, clarinets, and French horns to carry genuine musical weight.
- Trust the natural phrasing inherent in Schuller's orchestration. Resist the urge to over conduct or impose extra rubato; the music's architecture supports itself when ensemble members understand their role in it.
- Record a rehearsal or two. Schuller's textures can sound muddy to young ears until they hear how they actually sit together; a playback reveals balance issues your conductor ears might miss in the moment.
How to use it
Position this in a concert where it can anchor a set of contemporary works or stand as the centerpiece of a program exploring American composers. Its intermediate technical demands make it ideal for mid-season programming, once your ensemble has built fundamental ensemble cohesion but before you're deep into contest prep.
Skills your students will build
- Voice independence in multi-part textures
- Understanding contemporary orchestration and balance
- Sustained phrase shaping across longer sections
- Ensemble listening and internal balance adjustment
- Reading and interpreting modernist harmonic language