October: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Eric Whitacre
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK01112317
$125.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| October - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $35.00 | |
| October - Flute 1,2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Oboe 1,2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Eb Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Clarinet 1 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Clarinet 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Clarinet 3 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bass Clarinet 1 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Eb Alto Saxophone 1,2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| October - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| October - Bassoon 1,2 | $6.00 | |
| October - F Horn 1 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - F Horn 3 4 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bb Trumpet 2,3 | $6.00 | |
| October - Tenor Trombone 1 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Bass Trombone | $6.00 | |
| October - Euphonium 1 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Tuba 1 2 | $6.00 | |
| October - Timpani | $6.00 | |
| October - Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| October - Percussion 2 | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
"October" began at a restaurant in Chicago, when I was first introduced to Brian Anderson. Brian, a high school band director from Fremont, Nebraska, knew my work and wanted to commission me, but couldn't find the finances. If I remember correctly I didn't immediately hear back from him, and I just assumed the gig would never materialize.
About a year later I get this phone call from him and he says that he has put together a commissioning consortium of 30 high school bands from Nebraska. 30 bands! I've dealt with institutional bureaucracy for a while now and I can't possibly imagine how he brought all of those people together, let alone get them to agree on a commission.
Writing a 'grade three' work was an entirely different challenge. It's easy to write your way out of a difficult corner with flashy, virtuosic material, but with 'easier' music your solutions must be simple, elegant, and functional. I worked hard to create a piece that could be successfully performed by all of the high schools in the consortium, yet never compromised its musical integrity. Frankly, writing 'easy' music is one of the hardest things I've ever done.
October: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01112317
More about this title
About the Composer: Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre is a composer whose work has fundamentally shaped the sound of contemporary wind and choral music. His compositions balance accessibility with artistic depth, demonstrating a gift for writing music that moves performers and audiences alike while remaining grounded in musicality rather than technical display.
Why we love this
Whitacre crafted this work through a genuine collaboration with 30 Nebraska high schools, which means it understands exactly what Grade 3 ensembles need to succeed. The piece proves that constraints spark creativity; he refused to coast on flashy technique, instead pouring energy into elegant solutions that let your students make real music from the first rehearsal.
What to expect
The piece unfolds with quiet confidence, building its emotional arc through color and shape rather than bombast. There's a reflective quality that draws listeners in, supported by writing that feels inevitable and purposeful at every turn.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands looking for repertoire that respects both their capabilities and their intelligence. Teachers who want their students to experience how elegant writing and genuine musical content matter far more than difficulty level.
How to get the most out of it
- Identify the primary melodic voice in each section and bring it forward; the writing supports ensemble balance when one line consistently leads.
- Maintain textural clarity by having players understand their specific function in each phrase, whether they're anchoring harmony or adding color.
- Trust the simplicity of the harmonic language to carry the emotional weight rather than pushing for interpretive effects.
- Mark entrances clearly in rehearsal and have students drill section transitions, since ensemble confidence directly impacts the piece's musical flow.
How to use it
October works beautifully as a centerpiece for a fall concert, where its introspective character creates a thoughtful moment in your program. Pair it with contrasting repertoire to highlight its distinct voice, or use it as a milestone piece that shows your ensemble what thoughtful musicianship sounds like.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing independent melodic lines within an ensemble texture
- Reading and performing Grade 3 concert band voicings across all instrument families
- Responding to subtle dynamic and expressive changes that shape phrasing
- Understanding how elegant harmonic language supports musical expression