Procession of Heroes: Concert Band Conductor Score

Smith and Story have written a piece that respects the realities of first-year conducting and playing without sacrificing musical integrity. The orchestration lets every section shine individually while building to moments that make a developing ensemble sound genuinely impressive, which is exactly what young musicians need to feel proud of their work.

Procession of Heroes moves with ceremonial confidence, using straightforward harmonic language and deliberate rhythmic figures to evoke dignity and forward motion. The orchestration builds from simple statements to fuller textures, creating a sense of gathering strength and momentum that feels triumphant without being overwrought.

First-year and early second-year concert bands ready to tackle something with genuine narrative and presence. This is ideal for directors working with Band Expressions Book One who want a programmatic showcase that builds student confidence without requiring advanced technical facility.

• Bring out the primary melody in whichever section carries it at any given moment; resisting the urge to balance everything equally will make the programmatic story clearer and more engaging.
• Use the full range of the conductor's preparatory gestures to clarify the heroic character; exaggerated upbeats and clear releases will help less experienced players understand the intent behind the music.
• Work for precision in the attacks and releases of sustained passages, as clean ensemble attacks are often what separate a "huge" sound from a muddy one at this level.

Open a concert with this piece to establish a confident tone and set the audience's expectations high. Its programmatic title and accessible level make it an excellent educational moment for the audience to hear how quickly a young ensemble can develop musicality and impact.

• Reading and performing sustained melodic lines with shape and direction
• Balancing individual section identity within ensemble context
• Executing clean, coordinated articulations across the full band
• Understanding how orchestration supports musical narrative
• Responding to conductor gesture and interpretation