Ninja Squad: 1st F Horn
By Eddie Jiménez
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PC-0019596_H1
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Description
Prepare for an exhilarating musical journey with Ninja Squad, a dynamic piece by Eddie Jiménez that captures the essence of stealth and action! The mysterious and thrilling world of ninjas comes alive with energetic rhythms, vivid melodies, and powerful percussion. An epic musical adventure! (1:40)
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Developing Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019596_H1
More about this title
About the Composer: Eddie Jiménez
Eddie Jiménez is a trumpeter and educator whose performance credentials span some of the most competitive brass ensembles in the country, including the Boston Crusaders and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps (hall of fame inductee). He holds a master's degree in orchestral trumpet performance from Manhattan School of Music, where he received the Cecil Collins Award for Excellence in Brass Performance, and a bachelor's degree in instrumental performance from the University of Miami, where he was named Most Outstanding Music Student.
Based in Dallas, Jiménez balances an active performance schedule with the Plano Symphony, Las Colinas Symphony, Irving Symphony, and other regional ensembles while maintaining a career as a band director, private trumpet instructor, and teaching artist. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by university bands and professional brass ensembles across Texas and beyond, making him a trusted voice in both the concert band and marching arts communities.
Why we love this
Jiménez brings genuine performance experience to his writing for young bands, and Ninja Squad shows it. The piece balances accessibility at grade 1.5 with musical substance—energetic rhythms and vivid percussion writing that keep students engaged without overwhelming them. Programming it sends a message that concert band music can be contemporary, thematic, and genuinely fun.
What to expect
Ninja Squad captures the controlled intensity of stealth punctuated by explosive action. Mysterious and spare passages create tension, then energetic rhythms and vivid percussion ignite the drama. The piece moves with purpose and style, delivering the thrill of a musical adventure without sacrificing musicality.
Who it's for
Young concert bands in grades 4-7 seeking repertoire that combines musical learning with genuine excitement. Directors programming contests, festivals, or concerts where students deserve music that feels alive and contemporary. Bands looking for a thematic piece that holds student interest from rehearsal through performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the mysterious opening sections with careful dynamic control in the woodwinds; let silence and restraint build anticipation before the action accelerates.
- Anchor the energetic rhythms with a crisp, unified articulation across the band, particularly in the running passages where precision clarifies the musical line.
- Balance the percussion writing carefully so it enhances the ninja theme without drowning out the melodic material. The drums drive energy, but the full band must still sing through.
- Give yourself and your students space to enjoy the theatrical nature of this piece. A bit of dramatic flair in interpretation makes the stealth-and-action story land.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set a contemporary, engaging tone. Its 1:40 duration makes it ideal as a counterpoint to a slower or more traditional work on the same program. It also works well in festival settings where judges appreciate young musicians performing accessible music with genuine enthusiasm and precision.
Skills your students will build
- Reading rhythmic figures with precision across changing tempos
- Balancing texture in mixed ensemble passages (woodwinds, brass, and percussion)
- Responding to dramatic dynamic shifts and sudden articulation changes
- Maintaining energy and focus in fast-moving, rhythmically driven sections