Overture 1812 Cover Image

Overture 1812: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$60.00 USD
Sale price  $60.00 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Overture 1812 Cover Image

Overture 1812: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

By Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky / arr. Michael Story and Robert W. Smith

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-38327

makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$60.00
Shipped

One moment…

Description
Tchaikovsky's "Overture 1812" is one of the most widely recognizable works in all of music. A bold musical statement, it was composed in 1880 to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon's army in 1812. Scored by Michael Story and Robert Smith, this rendition is a perfect fit for the end of the second year of instruction. The characteristic melody builds to a dramatic punctuated conclusion. Stunning! (2:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Overture 1812: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Band Expressions
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 126
UPC: 038081436470
SKU: 00-38327

More about this title

About the Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer whose works span symphonies, ballets, concertos, and orchestral overtures that remain core to the concert repertoire. His gift for sweeping melody and dramatic orchestration made him one of the most performed composers worldwide, and his influence on both classical and popular music is immeasurable.

Tchaikovsky's ability to balance technical sophistication with emotional directness serves music education well. His melodies are instantly singable and memorable, yet the harmonies and structures beneath them reward careful listening and study. For young musicians, his works offer the chance to play orchestral masterworks without needing advanced technique.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the unmistakable grandeur and melodic brilliance of Tchaikovsky's most iconic work while remaining entirely accessible to second-year bands. The scoring by Story and Smith preserves the essential character of the original: that sweeping Russian theme, the building intensity, the powerful conclusion that never fails to land. Your students will feel the thrill of playing a genuine masterwork that audiences recognize immediately.

What to expect

From the opening gesture, there is confidence and grandeur. The melody unfolds with warmth and directness, building steadily in both intensity and instrumental color. As sections pile in, the energy becomes electric, culminating in a dramatic, punchy conclusion that leaves no doubt about the power of this musical statement.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits bands at the end of Grade 2, where students have developed basic technical control and can manage ensemble coordination. It works equally well for community bands, festival performances, or concert programs where the goal is to play real music that resonates with audiences.

How to get the most out of it

  • Bring out the principal melody line in the upper woodwinds during the opening section. Balance the supporting harmonies in lower voices so the tune soars clearly.
  • Shape the dynamic buildup gradually across the full arrangement. Resist the urge to jump to forte too quickly; the power comes from sustained growth.
  • Drill the rhythmic unison passages with precision. Crisp articulation in these moments adds punch to the dramatic sections without sounding choppy.
  • Give the brass time to breathe in their punctuated figures, especially near the conclusion. Clarity here supports the overall impact of the ending.

How to use it

Position this as a concert finale or a centerpiece of a program celebrating Romantic-era masterworks. Its two-minute runtime and immediate recognizability make it ideal for closing a concert with impact, or for programming alongside other accessible arrangements that introduce students to the classical canon.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining and shaping longer melodic lines across phrases
  • Balancing principal melodies against harmonic support in ensemble context
  • Building and controlling dynamic growth over extended sections
  • Executing crisp articulation in rhythmic unison passages
  • Reading and performing standard concert band instrumentation and ranges

You May Also Like