Procession Of The Sorcerers: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

A vivid parade unfolding in sound. Buckley's orchestration creates distinct moments of color and character, moving the listener through this magical gathering with warmth and a touch of mischief. The music balances whimsy with genuine compositional craft, never slipping into sentimentality.

Concert bands at the Grade 3 level looking for a narrative-driven work that engages audiences without demanding advanced technical facility. Directors seeking repertoire that offers staging or visual possibilities will find the descriptive writing invites creative classroom interpretation.

• Balance the descriptive passages carefully. The procession needs rhythmic clarity in the inner voices so listeners can track the movement even when the melody sits in the upper woodwinds.
• If you include the optional choir parts, schedule rehearsals that allow your singers and instrumentalists to find the blend. The choir entrance should feel like it emerges naturally from the orchestration, not like an added layer.
• Lean into character with your articulation choices. Different sections of the procession invite different attacks; what works for the "stilt walkers" might not serve the "goblins."

Program this as a centerpiece for a family or educational concert where descriptive music engages younger audience members. It pairs well with other Grade 3 works that explore character or storytelling, giving your concert a cohesive thematic thread. The moderate length makes it ideal for a spring concert or end-of-unit performance where you want something accessible yet substantial.

• Sustaining phrasing across 3+ measure phrases
• Articulation clarity within moving accompanimental figures
• Blend and balance when melody shifts between sections
• Rhythmic precision in homophonic writing
• Reading optional divisi parts in upper woodwinds