Rapa Nui: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Fortin crafts a programmatic arc that actually works: the opening march establishes gravitas, and the transition into the Bird-Man chase gives your band a clear dramatic trajectory to execute. At Grade 1.5, you get genuine storytelling without sacrificing playability, which keeps students invested in the musical narrative rather than just the mechanics.

The piece opens with ceremonial weight, evoking the mystique of those stone moai on the horizon. Then it pivots: suddenly you're racing, the pulse quickens, and the band becomes the competitor pushing toward survival and glory.

Concert bands at the beginning-intermediate level looking for a short, high-impact programmatic work. Directors seeking accessible repertoire that tells a story and rewards student musicianship equally.

• Shape the opening march with dynamic control; the solemn character depends on restraint in the brass section rather than volume.
• Mark the tempo shift into the chase section clearly in rehearsal so the energy escalates without rushing; students need to feel the urgency without losing pulse.
• Balance the melodic voices during the chase so listeners follow the musical action; don't let accompanying figures overshadow the main line.
• Emphasize rhythmic precision in the faster sections; tight ensemble work makes the competitive excitement land effectively.

Program this as a concert opener or closer to frame a thematic concert about exploration, ancient cultures, or competition. Its compact length makes it ideal for a full band warm-up slot or as a palate cleanser between longer works.

• Executing marked tempo changes while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Shaping melodic lines within a programmatic context
• Balancing texture between main voices and accompaniment figures
• Sustaining rhythmic accuracy in faster, energetic passages