Our Flirtations: Brass Band Score & Parts

Sousa's lighter character pieces like this one give brass bands a chance to showcase personality and articulation beyond the traditional march idiom. Arranged here by Phillip Littlemore for brass band forces, it offers the ensemble a chance to balance virtuosity with musicality, rewarding clean articulation and careful blend while keeping the energy and wit of the original intact.

Charming and light-footed, this piece dances with quick exchanges between sections and playful harmonic gestures that keep the ensemble engaged. The title suits the music: there's a teasing quality throughout, with phrases that trade off between upper and lower voices like witty conversation set to brass band sound.

Brass bands preparing contest or festival repertoire will find this work suitable for intermediate to advanced ensembles with strong sectional balance and articulation skills. It appeals to groups looking for character pieces that develop musicianship beyond march repertoire.

• Maintain clarity in the dialogue between sections; Sousa's orchestration relies on distinct voice leading, so balance the melodic line prominently while keeping accompanying figures light and transparent.
• Shape the phrasing as though the band were a chamber ensemble; resist the urge to let brass band sound become heavy or generalized.
• Attend to style markings and tempo variations carefully; the character of 'flirtations' demands rhythmic precision and articulation that brings out the piece's wit.

Program this as a palate cleanser in a concert mixing marches with other Sousa works, or as a contest selection where the judges expect to hear ensemble musicianship and stylistic control. It pairs well alongside other character pieces in the Sousa catalogue and provides a compelling alternative to the march-heavy programming that often dominates brass band concerts.

• Articulation clarity in fast scalar and figurative passages
• Section-to-section balance and transparency in dialogue
• Stylistic awareness of character piece writing outside the march form
• Ensemble communication and rhythmic precision at tempo