Old Churches: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Colgrass
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00425345
$60.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Old Churches - Full Score | $10.00 | |
| Old Churches - Flute 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Flute 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Flute 3 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Oboe | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bassoon | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Clarinet 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Clarinet 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Clarinet 3 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Bass Clarinet | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Eb Alto Saxophone 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Eb Alto Saxophone 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Trumpet 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Trumpet 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bb Trumpet 3 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - F Horn | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Trombone 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Trombone 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Euphonium in Bass Clef | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Euphonium in Treble Clef | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Tuba | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bells Part 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Bells Part 2 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Aux. Percussion 1 | $3.99 | |
| Old Churches - Aux. Percussion 2 | $3.99 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Gregorian chant is one of the earliest forms of notated music, using free flowing rhythms and simple melody. In "Old Churches", composer Michael Colgrass uses these elements to create an aura of voices echoing in the monastery. Using easy graphic notation, students have a fun and creative way to explore sound production along with the compositional process. (Includes score and parts.)
Learn more at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ComposersForum/search?query=michael+colgrass+
BandQuest, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece. Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email bandquest@composersforum.org to request a free downloadable audio catalog.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00425345
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Colgrass
Michael Colgrass is an American composer and percussionist whose career spans classical composition, film scoring, and music education. His work consistently explores the intersection of sound exploration and creative discovery, making him a valued contributor to contemporary band literature. Colgrass has demonstrated a particular commitment to engaging young musicians through compositionally rigorous yet accessible pieces that expand their understanding of how music is made.
Why we love this
Colgrass taps into something rarely found in middle school band repertoire: permission to create sound rather than simply execute notation. The graphic notation approach transforms what could be dry sectional work into genuine compositional thinking, and students leave the experience understanding that contemporary composers are still writing music worth learning.
What to expect
Gregorian chant filtered through a modern lens creates a contemplative yet luminous soundscape. The free rhythms generate an almost improvised quality; layered lines suggest voices reverberating through stone, building spiritual resonance through collective sound rather than harmonic complexity.
Who it's for
This score and parts set serves middle school bands ready to move beyond traditional notation and engage with compositional concepts. It works equally well for advanced elementary ensembles or as a bridge piece in high school band curricula exploring 20th century techniques.
How to get the most out of it
- Spend rehearsal time establishing what each graphic symbol produces sonically before attempting to coordinate full sections. The piece only works if students own their sounds.
- Record a performance early in the learning process and play it back for the ensemble. Hearing echoes and layers they've created together builds investment in the final sound.
- Shape the piece as if voices are actually bouncing off stone walls. Entries should feel discovered rather than cued, and releases matter as much as attacks.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener to set a reflective tone, or pair it with other contemporary works exploring texture and timbre. The piece also works beautifully as a culminating project in a unit on compositional process, allowing students to hear how graphic notation translates into physical sound.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and interpreting graphic notation systems
- Creating sustained tones with dynamic control and blend
- Coordinating ensemble entries without traditional meter or tempo markings
- Understanding how texture and layering create musical meaning
- Translating compositional intent into individual sound production