Of Distant Peaks: Bells
By Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015319_B
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Description
An ancient mountain poem by Li Bai (701--762) served as the inspiration for this piece, written in memory of Daniel Stritchko, a young tenor saxophone player from Longmont, Colorado. The front range of the Rocky Mountains serves as the dramatic backdrop to Longmont, providing the impetus for the grandeur and spirit of this composition. (2:30) Correlates Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 2 Level 2.
"This bold new work will program well in a number of circumstances."
-John Thomson, The Instrumentalist This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
"This bold new work will program well in a number of circumstances."
-John Thomson, The Instrumentalist This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Of Distant Peaks: Bells comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
148
SKU:
00-PC-0015319_B
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers of wind band literature in contemporary music education. His works circulate globally across concert and contest stages, while his role as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band has shaped how countless ensembles build foundational skills. Recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers underscores his contributions to the field.
Sheldon maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, clinician at universities and state music education conferences, and commissioned composer. He has conducted his works at Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, Boston's Symphony Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center, with conducting and educational appearances spanning the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in July 2020.
Why we love this
Sheldon writes with the band director's ear, creating accessible yet musically substantial works that engage students without oversimplifying the compositional craft. The programmatic foundation rooted in Li Bai's ancient mountain poetry gives the ensemble something meaningful to inhabit musically, while the memorial context adds emotional depth that resonates in performance. At Grade 1.5, this piece proves you don't need technical difficulty to achieve genuine artistic expression.
What to expect
Of Distant Peaks evokes the grandeur of mountain vistas with an underlying reverence befitting its memorial origin. The piece unfolds with contemplative passages that give way to soaring melodic statements, mirroring the vertical drama of a mountain range rising from the plains. Sheldon's orchestration allows younger players to contribute meaningfully to the overall emotional arc.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate level, particularly those working through Sound Innovations Book 2 repertoire and ready to program a substantial concert piece. This work fits ensembles seeking music that balances accessibility with artistic meaning, whether for fall or winter concert programming or festival consideration.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the dramatic landscape the Rocky Mountain imagery provides. Help the band understand they're painting a scene, not just playing notes in sequence.
- Balance the lyrical moments against the grander gestures. Sheldon builds momentum deliberately, so resist the urge to rush the quieter passages.
- Use the correlations to Sound Innovations Book 2 as a rehearsal bridge. Students see the technical concepts they're learning applied in this concert work.
How to use it
Program this alongside lighter concert fare to anchor a concert with programmatic substance without demanding excessive rehearsal time. The piece pairs well with student composers' works or other nature-inspired selections, creating a thematic concert around landscape and poetry. Its 2:30 duration makes it ideal as a centerpiece work rather than filler.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across musical phrases
- Dynamic control in both soft and fortissimo passages
- Ensemble balance with layered melodic material
- Interpreting programmatic intent from compositional gestures