Pathways: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Oare
Grade: 2.5
Item: 35-PK00245385
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Pathways - Full Score | $10.00 | |
| Pathways - Flute 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Flute 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Oboe | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bassoon | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Clarinet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Clarinet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Clarinet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Bass Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Eb Alto Saxophone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Eb Alto Saxophone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Bb Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Baritone B.C. | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Baritone T.C. | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Tuba | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - String Bass | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Percussion 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Mallet Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Mallet Percussion 2 | $6.00 | |
| Pathways - Timpani | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Commissioned by the Grassfield High School Band in Chesapeake, Virginia, and dedicated to the graduating class of 2011, the title and nature of this work reference the various pathways chosen, and those yet to be taken, in all of our lives. Michael Oare's rich and expressive composition uses a nice blend of tempos and styles to create a dynamic, well-scored overture for young players. Dur: 4:00
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00245385
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Oare
Michael Oare trained in composition and music education at Old Dominian University in Norfolk, Virginia, and spent 33 years as Director of Bands at Great Bridge Middle School in Chesapeake. During his tenure, the ensemble achieved consecutive superior ratings in the Virginia Concert Band Performance Assessment for three decades, a testament to his skill in selecting and teaching repertoire that challenges without overwhelming young players. His own compositions have appeared in GIA Publications' respected Teaching Music Through Performance series, and he continues to serve as conductor of the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia Concert Band while maintaining an active presence as adjudicator and performer.
Oare's work within the profession extends beyond the classroom. He holds memberships in ASCAP and Phi Beta Mu, serves with the Virginia Wind Symphony, and has received recognition including the 2016 Chesapeake Public Schools' Middle School Teacher of the Year award and two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association. His approach to composition reflects decades of direct experience with developing musicians, resulting in works that balance musical substance with pedagogical accessibility.
Why we love this
Oare writes with genuine understanding of what mid-level bands can execute musically without getting bogged down in technical impossibility. The contrasting tempos and styles here create real architectural interest while the orchestration allows every section moments to shine. A four-minute work with this much compositional intelligence and structural variety stands out in a catalog often dominated by arrangements and flashy show pieces.
What to expect
An overture that moves thoughtfully through contrasting emotional and stylistic territory, with the kind of purposeful harmonic language and orchestration that signals something crafted by someone who understands both young musicians and what makes music matter. The work avoids sentimentality while maintaining warmth and expressivity throughout.
Who it's for
Concert bands in grades 7-9 or early high school looking for repertoire with genuine musical substance and structural sophistication. Directors working with developing ensembles will appreciate material that doesn't patronize players while remaining accessible within a Grade 2.5 difficulty range.
How to get the most out of it
- Identify the tempo relationships between sections in advance so transitions feel organic rather than abrupt. Oare's use of contrast is intentional, and showing students how each tempo shift serves the overall narrative makes them invest in execution.
- Balance the blend during thicker textures by checking that inner voices aren't buried. The scoring distributes material across all sections, but young players often default to pushing their own part rather than listening for integration.
- Let the expressive quality of the work breathe. This isn't a march or a showstopper; the rich character Oare builds depends on thoughtful phrasing and dynamic shape even in younger ensemble contexts.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener that establishes engagement and musicality rather than just energy. Its four-minute length and multi-sectional structure also make it ideal for festival concerts where you need an impactful standalone work that demonstrates range.
Skills your students will build
- Responding to tempo and style changes mid-piece
- Balancing blend during dense harmonic textures
- Phrasing and dynamic shaping in non-march contexts
- Reading and executing expressive notation across all instrument groups
- Understanding form through listening and performance