Release the Kraken!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Story
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0008685
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Description
Release the Kraken!, by Michael Story, is a fantastic overture that captures the enormity of these gigantic, mythical creatures. They have many tentacles or claws that can engulf a ship and pull it to the depths of the sea! Multiple textures, memorable themes, and terrific orchestration make this the perfect choice for your concert or contest performance. (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Release the Kraken!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0008685
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans educational and professional concert settings. His compositions for young bands emphasize accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, earning him a reputation for writing repertoire that engages students while maintaining artistic integrity.
Why we love this
Story's orchestration here is genuinely inventive, layering themes across the band with clarity that lets young players hear exactly what they contribute to the whole. The programmatic concept gives students a visceral reason to care about phrasing and balance—they're not just playing notes, they're dragging a ship to the ocean floor.
What to expect
Ominous yet playful, the piece swells with a sense of scale and menace as the creature emerges from the depths. Thick textures and driving rhythms create momentum that pulls the ensemble forward, while contrasting sections of clarity let listeners (and players) catch their breath before the next wave of sound.
Who it's for
Grade 2 bands with solid fundamentals who benefit from a chart that rewards clean ensemble work and musical storytelling. This works equally well for concert programs and festival competitions where a younger band needs to demonstrate musicianship beyond technical prowess.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the main theme so it cuts through the accompaniment texture; this overture lives and dies on whether audiences hear the memorable material over the surrounding orchestration.
- Shape dynamic waves across full sections rather than playing dynamically note-by-note; the mythical size of the creature demands broad, sweeping gestures.
- Lock the articulation style across similar material (especially the tentacle figures); consistency in texture creates the sense of unified, coordinated motion.
- Use the 2:10 length strategically in rehearsal—it's short enough to run multiple complete takes, which helps students internalize the arc and gain confidence for performance.
How to use it
Pair this as a concert opener to grab attention immediately, or use it to close a first half with memorable impact. The programmatic hook makes it engaging for young audiences and families who attend school concerts, and its contest-ready quality positions it perfectly for festival submissions where Grade 2 bands compete.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing accompanimental and thematic material across multiple instrumental sections
- Shaping dynamic phrases at the ensemble level rather than as isolated parts
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in accompanying figures while feature lines sit above
- Responding to programmatic intent as a guide for phrasing and articulation choices