On a Tear: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Stalter crafts a piece that works equally well as a concert opener or closer, which is rare enough to matter when you're building a program. The contrast between frenetic passages and genuinely moving lyrical material gives you something substantial to rehearse, not just surface energy, and the dual meaning of the title rewards the kind of musical storytelling that makes concerts stick with an audience.

A piece that runs on adrenaline and heart in equal measure. The frenetic sections propel forward with infectious urgency while the lyrical writing offers space for players to connect emotionally to the music they're making. The runtime allows each section to land fully without feeling rushed or bloated.

Grade 3 bands ready to tackle genuine musical expression alongside technical challenges. This piece works for programs that want young musicians to understand that energy and lyricism are equally important to craft, not just that one is easier than the other.

• Establish the dual meaning of the title early in rehearsals so your ensemble understands the emotional arc. Are we 'on a tear' in momentum or emotion? That interpretive clarity shapes how players approach both the driving and lyrical sections.
• Balance ensemble sound between the high-energy passages and the lyrical material by adjusting dynamics deliberately rather than letting tempo or adrenaline dictate volume. The contrast is the point.
• Give featured sections intentional staging time in sectionals. Every part of the ensemble has moments to shine, so make sure soloists and small groups have the confidence and clarity they need before full rehearsal.
• Lock in the articulation style during the frenetic sections to maintain rhythmic unity across the band. When everyone's driving hard, clean tonguing and consistent note placement keep the energy tight rather than loose.

Program this as your concert opener to establish momentum and ensemble confidence, or as a closer to send the audience out energized. It pairs well alongside more traditional Grade 3 repertoire because the dual emotional register gives your program shape and contrast without demanding unusual instrumentation.

• Contrasting articulation and phrasing between driving rhythmic passages and sustained lyrical sections
• Dynamic control across a full ensemble range
• Reading and executing featured parts with confidence and musical ownership
• Ensemble balance when multiple sections carry the melody simultaneously