Ridgeview Centrum: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Alvin Singleton
Grade: 2.5
Item: 35-PK00420865
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Description
"Ridgeview Centrum" is a fanfare written in composer Alvin Singleton's style of subtle spontaneity, which is experienced through a fusion of classical and folk music elements. In the historic tradition of fanfares, this work was written by Singleton in honor of the students and band teacher he worked with during his BandQuest residency at Ridgeview Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. (Includes score and parts.)
BandQuest, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece. Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email bandquest@composersforum.org to request a free downloadable audio catalog.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00420865
More about this title
About the Composer: Alvin Singleton
Alvin Singleton is an American composer whose work bridges contemporary concert music with accessible, engaging writing for young musicians. His compositional voice combines classical structures with folk and vernacular influences, creating pieces that challenge ensembles while remaining rooted in musical storytelling.
Singleton's involvement with BandQuest reflects his commitment to music education and community engagement. His residency-based approach to composition ensures that his works are written with specific student musicians in mind, resulting in pieces that feel personal and purposeful rather than generic.
Why we love this
Fanfares written for student musicians often feel obligatory or hollow, but Singleton's approach here is genuinely musical. The fusion of classical form with folk elements gives students something substantial to sink their teeth into without overwhelming a Grade 2.5 ensemble. The fact that it was born from direct collaboration with Ridgeview's students and teacher means the piece carries real meaning beyond the page.
What to expect
A bright, spirited opening that honors the ceremonial purpose of a fanfare while infusing it with warmth and personality. The blend of classical gesture with folk melody creates music that feels both timeless and alive, inviting rather than imposing.
Who it's for
Middle school concert bands seeking repertoire that feels contemporary without being inaccessible. Ensembles comfortable with Grade 2.5 difficulty can tackle the piece's harmonic and rhythmic language while still enjoying the satisfaction of performing newly composed music.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic voice clearly against the harmonic foundation; the folk-inspired material will shine when the ensemble hears its own principal line without being buried.
- Attend to the tempo relationships if the piece shifts between sections; Singleton's "subtle spontaneity" often lives in small but deliberate tempo adjustments that prevent the fanfare from feeling rigid.
- Let your students know the story behind the work. Sharing that this was written to honor *their* peers at another school creates an emotional context that makes rehearsal decisions stick.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert opener, setting an energetic and sophisticated tone immediately. It also fits naturally into a program exploring American composition or contemporary music for young ensembles. Consider pairing it with other BandQuest selections to showcase the breadth of voices in that catalog.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping melodic lines within a tonal harmonic context
- Balance between principal voice and accompaniment
- Responding to subtle changes in tempo and phrasing
- Performing contemporary classical music by a living American composer