Pride Within: Concert Band Conductor Score

$17.00 USD

Pride Within: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Pride Within: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-RWS264101
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Mark Lortz

Grade: 4

Item: 98-RWS264101

$17.00

Shipped

One moment…

Pride Within is a powerful, emotionally charged work commissioned in memory of longtime educator Jay Bolder, whose legacy of confidence, character, and genuine pride continues to inspire. A reflective clarinet opening honoring his daughter leads into a driving 7/8 groove shaped by Jay's love of odd meters, R&B, and rhythm-forward writing. The rich percussion writing pays tribute to his primary instrument while energizing the piece with color and momentum. Ultimately, Pride Within becomes a heartfelt journey from doubt to determination, culminating in a triumphant celebration of resilience and the enduring impact of a remarkable teacher.

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Series: RWS - Symphony Band

Publisher: RWS Music Company

ISBN10: 1-4706-8578-7

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-8578-2

UPC: 038081619675

SKU: 98-RWS264101

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Lortz

Mark Lortz directs the music program at Stevenson University while maintaining an active presence as a composer and arranger across multiple ensembles and organizations. His work spans university bands, the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps (where he serves as brass arranger), the U.S. Army Field Band, and various honor bands and community groups. His compositions have premiered at major venues including The Midwest Clinic, Bands of America, and the College Band Directors National Association, earning recognition from ASCAP and inclusion on Bandworld's Top 100 and J.W. Pepper's Editor's Choice lists.

With degrees from the Peabody Institute and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Temple University, Lortz combines deep training in percussion performance, composition, and pedagogy. His conducting experience extends internationally, and he frequently adjudicates and leads clinics at state and regional conferences. The Maryland Music Educators' Association recognized him as an Outstanding Educator in 2024, a distinction reflecting his sustained commitment to the field.

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Why we love this

Lortz honors a mentor's legacy with complete musical authenticity: the 7/8 meter and R&B inflection aren't ornamental choices but structural expressions of who Jay Bolder was as an artist and teacher. The piece rewards ensembles willing to sit with rhythmic complexity and emotional vulnerability, moving from reflective introspection through driving grooves into genuine triumph without rushing the emotional arc.

What to expect

Pride Within moves through honest emotional territory: quiet respect and reflection, then kinetic drive courtesy of that infectious 7/8 groove, percussion colors shimmering throughout. The arc resolves in something earned and joyful, a celebration that feels like recognition rather than generic triumph.

Who it's for

Grade 4 bands ready for metric complexity and emotional maturity. This work demands solid fundamentals and ensemble discipline, but the reward is access to contemporary concert music that models how a composer honors real people through authentic musical choices.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the clarinet opening as a genuine memorial statement. It needs space and tenderness, not hurried articulation. Let the soloist breathe generously.
Lock the 7/8 groove early in rehearsals. Mark the downbeat clearly and have the percussion section establish the pulse independently before layering wind parts. This meter requires tactile confidence.
Balance the rich percussion writing carefully. These colors serve the narrative arc, so each section needs to land distinctly without overwhelming the ensemble texture.
Build momentum gradually through the final section. The triumph arrives earned, not imposed. Resist the urge to push tempo in the celebration.

How to use it

This fits powerfully as a concert centerpiece, especially on programs celebrating institutional memory or mentorship. It pairs well alongside repertoire that contrasts in style and metric orientation, giving your audience a full evening while honoring the specific story this piece tells.