Of Wizards and Warriors: Flute 2
By Roland Barrett
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1258_F2
$7.00
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Description
Transport your audience back to medieval times with this spirited and bold work for young band. The noble opening instantly conjures images of a world where magic and chivalry abound. As tempo picks up, the entire ensemble drives forward as layer upon layer is added. A beautiful lyrical section builds to a powerful impact before the piece moves to a final section beginning with a trumpet ostinato that alternates between 4/4 and 2/4. As layers are added at different speeds, the piece builds to a dramatic conclusion!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1258_F2
More about this title
About the Composer: Roland Barrett
Roland Barrett has shaped multiple generations of young musicians through his dual roles as composer and educator. Since 2001, he has been a fixture on the University of Oklahoma's music theory and composition faculty, where he teaches 20th-century topics to both undergraduate and graduate students. Beyond the classroom, Barrett remains deeply involved in the marching arts as the musical arranger for the Pride of Oklahoma.
Barrett's catalog includes more than two hundred published works and arrangements spanning symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching band. His music has earned performances from the Dallas Wind Symphony, countless state and regional honor bands, and has been heard on National Public Radio and at major conferences including the Midwest Band & Orchestra Convention. He is a multiple recipient of the ASCAPlus award and brings both compositional sophistication and practical understanding of what works on the concert stage.
Why we love this
Barrett understands exactly what a young band needs to sound and feel impressive. The piece balances immediate impact (that noble opening hooks your audience right away) with genuine musical architecture; the layering technique and tempo changes keep students engaged while the trumpet ostinato section gives the ensemble a clear structural anchor that makes rehearsing these rhythmic shifts manageable rather than chaotic.
What to expect
Bold and colorful, with the pageantry of a medieval fanfare giving way to a lush, singing section before erupting into a rhythmically intricate finale. The piece moves through distinct emotional moments rather than running as a single idea, which keeps the audience (and the players) invested from start to finish.
Who it's for
Young bands at the intermediate level (Grade 2.5) looking for a standalone concert piece with genuine drama and program appeal. This works equally well for festival performance or a concert centerpiece, giving students a work that feels substantial without requiring advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the noble opening with a full, warm sound in the low brass and woodwinds; this is your chance to establish character before things accelerate.
- When the tempo increases, lock the rhythm section (bass drums, timpani, kick line) to a solid pulse so the added layers land cleanly rather than muddily.
- Isolate the trumpet ostinato section in sectional rehearsals; mark where the time signature shifts (4/4 to 2/4) clearly so trumpets don't chase the conductor.
- Build the final section by bringing in layers in the order they appear and rehearsing the cumulative effect; students often race when excitement builds, so use a metronome to hold the tempo steady.
How to use it
Program this as a feature work on a festival or concert where you want to showcase the full band's ability to control dynamics and color. It pairs well with lighter novelty numbers and gives your students a memorable performance experience that builds their confidence in ensemble playing.
Skills your students will build
- Layering ensemble textures (adding instrumental lines at different entry points)
- Managing tempo changes and meter shifts (4/4 to 2/4 transitions)
- Dynamic control across the full band range
- Sustaining lyrical passages with phrase shape and ensemble balance
- Maintaining rhythmic clarity during rhythmically complex sections