Rampage!: 1st Percussion
By Todd Stalter
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0001804_PC1
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Description
Rampage! is a relentless, aggressive work that requires wind players and percussionists alike to play with both a great deal of force and finesse. Strong statements in the brass, the interwoven woodwind parts, and a contrasting introspective section provide numerous opportunities for expression and nuance. Ranges are comfortable, allowing players to concentrate on the technique and articulations that will make this piece virtually leap off of the page. (3:30) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Rampage!: 1st Percussion 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:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
252
SKU:
00-PC-0001804_PC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Todd Stalter
Todd Stalter built a legendary band program at Eureka High School in Illinois, where he directed for 34 years. His marching band claimed 16 Class 1A state championships, his concert band earned consistent Superior ratings at IHSA contests, and his ensembles performed at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Walt Disney World, along with winning music festival titles at the Cotton and Liberty Bowls. He was inducted into the Illinois State Marching Band Championships Hall of Fame.
As a guest conductor, Stalter has led All-State Bands in Georgia and Delaware, plus numerous honor bands across Illinois and the Midwest. He remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, and composer, presenting workshops on music education and conducting at state conferences. His band compositions are performed nationwide and appear in the GIA series "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band." Stalter holds degrees from Illinois State University in music education and trumpet performance, where he studied with principals from the U.S. Marine Band.
Why we love this
Stalter understands what high school players need to sound impressive without overextending their abilities. Rampage! delivers visceral energy through strong brass writing and layered woodwind textures while keeping ranges accessible, so your students can focus on the articulations and dynamics that actually shape the sound. The built-in contrast between aggressive and introspective sections gives you real interpretive material to work with in rehearsal.
What to expect
Rampage! launches with unbridled aggression, the kind of visceral energy that fills a concert hall with momentum. Beneath the forceful exterior lives sophisticated part-writing and rhythmic interplay that rewards careful listening, punctuated by a quieter, more introspective passage that allows the ensemble to breathe and show restraint before returning to the fray.
Who it's for
Intermediate concert bands ready to tackle energetic, modern writing with real technical demands. This works well for bands that have solid intonation and can hold a steady section sound while managing individual articulation details.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a crisp, unified articulation style in the opening brass statements before adding the woodwind counterlines. Spend rehearsal time on these initial moments, as they set the character for the entire piece.
- Shape the introspective section with long-line thinking. Players often default to aggressive playing throughout; use this contrasting passage to develop their sensitivity and dynamic control.
- Balance the interwoven woodwind parts by having those sections rehearse independently first. Once secure, blend them back with the full ensemble so the composite sound reads clearly rather than muddying.
How to use it
Program this as a high-energy centerpiece on a spring concert, where audiences expect the band to showcase technical chops and interpretive range. It pairs well with contrasting repertoire (perhaps a lyrical ballad or classical transcription) and signals to adjudicators and listeners that your students have moved beyond entry-level technique.
Skills your students will build
- Precision articulation in rapid passages (brass and woodwinds)
- Dynamic control from fortissimo to mezzo-piano and back
- Balanced blend in multi-layered woodwind textures
- Sustained tone production under aggressive playing demands
- Phrase shaping across sections with contrasting emotional content