On Streets of Gold: Flute
By Gary Fagan
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0014596_F1
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Description
Based on a poem by Gary Fagan, this piece tells the story of those whose lives were dedicated to supporting music. This inspiring work will certainly be a memorable addition to your next concert. (5:20)
"This work has beautiful writing and is one of the rare slow pieces your band won't get bored in playing."
-The Instrumentalist
"This work has beautiful writing and is one of the rare slow pieces your band won't get bored in playing."
-The Instrumentalist
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, On Streets of Gold: Flute 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:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
138
SKU:
00-PC-0014596_F1
More about this title
About the Composer: Gary Fagan
Gary Fagan brings four decades of teaching experience and a deep commitment to music education. A Maryland native, he spent 36 years directing bands in Albemarle County before transitioning to university supervision at James Madison University, where he also teaches arranging. His music has reached audiences at venues ranging from the White House to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and his contributions to music education have earned him recognition as Central Virginia Outstanding Middle School Teacher and multiple Outstanding Educator Awards.
Beyond the classroom, Fagan remains actively engaged in the field as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer. He holds degrees in Music Education from Bridgewater College and a master's degree from James Madison University. His memberships in ASCAP, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity reflect his ongoing investment in the broader musical community. He currently serves as Assistant Director and percussionist with the Charlottesville Band.
Why we love this
Slow pieces that sustain ensemble and audience attention are genuinely hard to find, and Fagan has written one that feels substantial rather than empty. The work honors those who dedicate themselves to music education through writing that is both moving and musically engaging, giving your band genuine material to sink into rather than something to endure. At just over five minutes, it lands perfectly as a concert centerpiece or contest selection that will resonate with musicians and listeners alike.
What to expect
Built on a poem celebrating those who give their lives to music, this work unfolds with a warmth and dignity that feels earned. The orchestration breathes space and allows individual voices to be heard within a full ensemble texture, creating an introspective yet communal feeling.
Who it's for
This piece belongs in the library of any concert band director seeking meaningful repertoire at Grade 3 that doesn't default to fast, high-energy writing. It works equally well for competition seasons and community concerts where thoughtful programming matters. Students gain experience with music that asks for maturity in tone production and line management.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the inner voices carefully; with extended lyrical writing, a well-blended harmonic foundation will allow soloists and featured lines to emerge naturally without forcing
- Establish a clear phrase arc across entire sections rather than stopping at phrase marks; this piece rewards continuous, singing direction
- Adjust dynamics deliberately and gradually; sudden changes will interrupt the reflective quality Fagan has built into the orchestration
How to use it
Use this as your concert's emotional anchor, programming it between higher-energy selections to give audiences time to listen intently. It also serves as an excellent choice for festival competition where judges specifically value artistic restraint and ensemble maturity. Consider pairing it with other memorial or tribute works to create a thematic concert half.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone quality and intonation across extended lyrical phrases
- Balancing individual voice parts within a complex harmonic texture
- Responding to subtle dynamic and tempo variations
- Phrasing with musical intention rather than breathing at every rest mark
- Ensemble sensitivity in slow tempos where balance issues become immediately apparent