New Horizons: Concert Band Conductor Score

Corrigan understands exactly what developing bands need: music that sounds sophisticated without exposing holes in the section. The smart doublings keep weaker players from standing out, thematic material rotates through the ensemble so everyone has moments to shine, and the percussion writing adds genuine color without requiring an unrealistic inventory. This is teaching music that also works as concert music.

Accessible and energetic. The writing sits comfortably in the range of early-level band instruments while maintaining harmonic interest and forward momentum. Percussion punctuation gives the piece a sense of occasion without demanding virtuosity from any section.

Directors of developing concert bands looking for Grade 2 repertoire that challenges students without overexposing weaknesses in intonation or technique. New Horizons works equally well for secondary and adult community ensembles where musical maturity and instrumental experience vary widely.

• Balance the expanded percussion section carefully during rehearsals. Mark dynamic adjustments in your score where auxiliary percussion enters so the melody doesn't get buried.
• Use the suggested instrumental substitutions listed in the score if your percussion section is incomplete. Corrigan has anticipated common shortages and marked viable alternatives.
• Highlight passages where thematic material moves between sections during sectional rehearsals. Students engage more deeply when they understand why they're playing a specific phrase.
• Let the piece breathe at transitions. Young musicians sometimes rush moment-to-moment changes, so mark tempo and breath points clearly in each part.

New Horizons fits naturally into a concert of developing band repertoire as a confident opener or closer. It also programs well alongside other Grade 2 pieces that focus on different idioms, since Corrigan's composition emphasizes straightforward, transparent orchestration that lets younger players sound polished.

• Reading and executing dynamic changes across sustained passages
• Ensemble balance when thematic material rotates between sections
• Responding to conductor cues during transitions between contrasting sections
• Adjusting intonation in unison and simple harmonic doublings