Point of the Mountain: Concert Band Conductor Score

Hodges crafts a piece that sounds like a traditional march on the surface but subverts expectations with meter shifts that keep the ensemble engaged and attentive. The Grade 2 writing is genuinely accessible without sacrificing musical interest, making this ideal for bands ready to tackle something beyond straightforward duple meter without overwhelming them.

Sturdy and adventurous. The piece walks the line between the ceremonial confidence of a march and the raw energy of Utah's high desert landscape. Meter changes feel organic rather than academic, inviting the listener into a journey across rugged terrain.

Intermediate concert bands (Grade 2) looking to introduce their ensemble to shifting meters in a musically compelling context. This work is equally suited for concert programming and contest/festival play, offering substance without technical difficulty.

• Establish the pulse clearly before the first meter shift occurs. Once your ensemble locks the standard march groove, the transition to 5/4 will feel intentional rather than jarring.
• Let the shifting meters breathe. Resist the impulse to rush through the 5/4 sections; the ruggedness of the Traverse Mountains comes through in the stability of those less familiar meters.
• Balance the march character with the dramatic landscape the composer is depicting. Crisp articulation and clear phrasing in the melody lines will honor both the structural boldness and natural imagery.

Program this as a concert opener or mid-set piece where it can anchor a thematic program around American geography or regional landscapes. The moderate length (2:25) and Grade 2 level make it ideal for festival competitions or a concert section devoted to contemporary band literature.

• Reading and performing mixed meters (5/4 and 3/4)
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion during meter changes
• Connecting march form and style with contemporary compositional techniques
• Interpreting programmatic intent through musical expression