Now the Morning Is Begun: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Coakley's approach to hymn-based writing respects the source material while creating something fresh and concert-worthy. The dual-hymn structure gives conductors natural architecture to work with, and the Grade 3 scoring ensures your entire section can participate meaningfully without sacrificing musical substance.

The piece opens with quiet dignity, drawing its power from the familiar hymn melodies rather than bombast. There's a contemplative quality woven throughout, with moments of luminous scoring that feel both spiritual and celebratory.

Concert bands working at Grade 3 who want meaningful programming beyond standard marches and pops arrangements. This score works equally well for high school ensembles seeking sacred repertoire or any director building a concert around hymn-based works.

• Balance the two hymn tunes carefully as they emerge and develop throughout the work. Each should retain its character while blending into the larger harmonic tapestry.
• Pay attention to voicing transitions between sections. Coakley's orchestration rewards clean handoffs between parts, so mark cues clearly and rehearse section-to-section entrances with precision.
• Shape phrases around the hymn melodies rather than conducting metronomically. This sacred context calls for breath, rubato, and reverence in your conducting gesture.
• Use dynamics to highlight the relationship between the two hymns when they appear simultaneously or in close succession. Subtle foreground-background work will deepen the musical impact.

Consider pairing this with other sacred or commemorative works to create a thematic half of a concert. It also sits naturally in spring programming, particularly for events honoring school traditions or institutional anniversaries.

• Sustaining long melodic lines with consistent tone and vibrato control
• Reading and executing dynamic shaping within legato passages
• Balancing harmonic texture when serving as inner voices supporting hymn melodies
• Responding to subtle conducting gestures that emphasize musical shape over metric precision