Persuasion: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Persuasion delivers exactly what a Grade 3 band needs: a feature that gives your saxophone section (or low brass) a moment to shine while keeping the rest of the band fully engaged and musically satisfied. The alternate solo parts mean you're not locked into one instrumentation; assign it to your strongest player, regardless of section. At this level, a piece this musically rewarding and this easy to prepare is rare.

Persuasion swings with easy confidence, the musical equivalent of a conversation between friends. The solo voice floats over warm, supportive harmonies, inviting the listener (and the player) to lean in and enjoy the moment. It's expressive without being sentimental, rhythmically engaging without losing melody.

Concert bands at the intermediate level (Grades 2-4) looking for a feature that excites students and audiences without requiring advanced technique or complex meter reading. It works equally well for a full band with strong soloists or a group where you need to distribute responsibility across sections.

• Balance the solo voice carefully in rehearsal. It should project over the ensemble without overpowering it; use dynamics to shape the feature rather than expecting volume alone to carry the line.
• Give the solo player freedom to breathe musically. Nestico's phrasing invites slight flexibility in rubato, especially at phrase endings, so encourage your soloist to listen to the ensemble and find space for expressive breathing.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass, baritone, trombone) into a tight, swinging pocket. The groove underneath the solo line is what makes this arrangement sing, so spend rehearsal time on that foundation first.
• Work the background figures with your ensemble voices. The parts that support the solo contain the harmonic and rhythmic fabric of the piece; if those are clean and confident, the solo voice will naturally sit better.

Place this in a concert that balances full-ensemble numbers with featured soloists. It pairs well with march-based repertoire or other showcase pieces that let different sections take turns. The Grade 3 accessibility means you can program it earlier in the year once your band has a few weeks of fundamental work behind them.

• Balancing a solo voice with ensemble accompaniment
• Playing swing rhythms and phrased articulation in a jazz idiom
• Reading and performing harmonic background figures that support a featured line
• Responding to dynamic shaping that brings out melody and supports the soloist