Revelry: Conductor Score

Caputo writes with a conductor's understanding of what students need to learn. Revelry packages technical challenges (chromatic passages, trills, glissandi) inside a piece that's genuinely fun to perform, so students stay engaged while building real skills. The march format gives it natural energy, and the trombone writing rewards careful intonation work without feeling like a chore.

Whimsical and bouncy, Revelry bounces along with the charm of a classic march while keeping players on their toes with ornamental figures. The glissandi add a touch of playful swagger, and the overall mood is lighthearted and energetic without sacrificing musical substance.

Concert bands at the 2.5 grade level who are ready to tackle chromatic technique and expressive articulation without overly complex harmonic language. This work suits developing ensembles with a solid rhythm section and trombones capable of executing slide positions with control.

• Isolate the trombone section early to establish secure slide positions for the glissandi; mark these passages in rehearsal and return to them frequently as the band learns the full score.
• Lock the chromatic passages by having students finger and articulate them without the slide moving, treating each pitch as a distinct note rather than a continuous glide.
• Balance the trill fingerings across the ensemble by conducting through the figures clearly; students often rush trills, so use a metronome at slow tempos to establish precision before tempo.
• Check intonation in the trombone section against a reference pitch for the passage containing glissandi, as slide technique directly affects tuning accuracy.

Program Revelry on a concert where you want to showcase your band's technical growth without the weight of a heavier work. It pairs well with lyrical or slow pieces on the same program, giving audiences a clear sense of your ensemble's range and providing a satisfying, uptempo closer or complementary middle section.

• Chromatic fingering and articulation accuracy
• Trill execution across multiple instrument families
• Trombone slide technique and glissando control
• Ensemble intonation in passages using extended technique
• Rhythmic precision within a march framework