Rise to Power: Trombone

Grice understands the exact moment when a young band needs to sound polished without the technical demands that derail rehearsals. This piece delivers maturity through smart orchestration and strong melodic writing rather than complicated passages, so your students can focus on intonation, balance, and confidence instead of wrestling with their parts. It's the kind of opening number that convinces audiences your program knows what it's doing.

Energetic and assured, with momentum that carries the band forward. The writing feels open and spacious enough that young players won't feel cramped, yet structured enough that every section has a clear voice in the texture.

Beginning concert bands making their first appearance in front of an audience, or young ensembles whose experience is primarily limited to method book exercises. If your students can play with basic accuracy and a steady tempo, they have everything needed to succeed with this piece.

• Lock in the tempo at rehearsal's start. A steady pulse makes the piece feel controlled and impressive rather than rushed or uncertain.
• Shape the melodic lines with dynamic contrast. Even at this level, thoughtful phrasing transforms simple writing into something that sounds intentional and mature.
• Balance the harmony so inner voices support without overwhelming the melody. Young players often play too loudly in their parts; remind them they're the foundation, not the feature.
• Mark breathing points clearly in all parts. Coordinated breath releases keep the ensemble unified and prevent raggedness at phrase endings.

Open your first concert with this as an icebreaker. It sets a professional tone immediately while giving your ensemble an early win, which settles nerves and builds momentum for the rest of the program. It also works perfectly as a festival or solo/ensemble contest selection where you want your band to make a strong first impression without overextending their abilities.

• Sustaining pitch with steady airflow across full phrases
• Balancing individual parts within a full ensemble texture
• Responding to dynamic changes and shaping musical lines
• Maintaining consistent tempo and rhythmic precision
• Coordinating ensemble entrances and releases