Prelude and Passages: Score
By Roland Barrett
Grade: 3.5 (Medium Easy to Medium)
Item: 00-PR-0006271
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Description
The prelude sets the stage, suggesting movement. Whether the listener's perspective is that of physical, spiritual, or emotional movement, Barrett's original work takes the audience on a series of journeys, beginning very peacefully and ending with a furious concluding section. An epic addition to the literature with a strong percussion component and occasional solo and soli fragments. Simply heroic! (4:45)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Prelude and Passages: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
260
SKU:
00-PR-0006271
More about this title
About the Composer: Roland Barrett
Roland Barrett holds a faculty position at the University of Oklahoma, where he teaches music theory and composition with a focus on 20th century techniques at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His work extends beyond the classroom; he serves as the musical arranger for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band and has established himself as a prolific composer and arranger with over two hundred published works spanning symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching band.
Brett's compositions have earned national recognition, performed by the Dallas Wind Symphony and countless All-State and All-Region Honor Bands. His music has been featured on National Public Radio and at major conventions including the Midwest Band & Orchestra Convention and the International Trumpet Guild convention. He is a multiple recipient of the ASCAPlus award and previously received the Michael Hennagin memorial scholarship in composition at Oklahoma.
Why we love this
Barrett crafts a narrative arc that commands attention from downbeat through final chord. The progression from serene opening to explosive conclusion gives your band something genuinely rewarding to build toward, and the strong percussion writing ensures your section players are fully invested rather than padding the texture.
What to expect
Prelude and Passages unfolds like a journey under your band's own direction. Quiet introspection gives way to restless energy, culminating in a section where everyone plays with full commitment. The piece respects silence and space as much as sound.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3.5 level looking for substantial material with real dramatic range. This works equally well for contest preparation or concert programming when you need a piece that demonstrates both control and power.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening transition carefully; the 'suggestion of movement' lives in how deliberately you release each phrase, not how fast you play it.
- Lean into the percussion solos and soli passages. These moments clarify the form and give the audience clear landmarks in the journey.
- Balance the concluding furious section so that it feels earned rather than sudden. The contrast works only if the earlier material has truly established restraint.
How to use it
Program this as your concert centerpiece or closer. The dramatic arc and length (4:45) make it substantial enough to anchor a set, and the accessible Grade 3.5 level means you're not spending your entire season preparing one piece.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic control across a wide range (pianissimo through fortissimo)
- Sustained ensemble balance during extended lyrical passages
- Rhythmic precision and coordination in the percussive conclusion
- Sectional independence, particularly in solo and soli writing
- Interpretation of tempo and phrasing without constant tempo markings