Second Concerto for Faculty and Band: 2nd F Horn
By James D. Ployhar
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015585_H2
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Description
Four or more faculty members step into the spotlight as percussion soloists, and they play (at least most of the time) with your concert band. Little musical talent is necessary for the soloists, just a jumbo-sized sense of humor. Create a true "light spot" in your next concert.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0015585_H2
More about this title
About the Composer: James D. Ployhar
James D. Ployhar has established himself as a prolific and influential voice in music education, with more than 800 published compositions to his name. His pedagogical reach extends through the Contemporary Band Course, now published by Alfred Music and adopted in schools across the United States and internationally, including a significant presence in Norway where the material has been translated into Norwegian.
Plyhar's training in orchestration includes study with Knud Havalde of the Danish Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, grounding his compositional work in professional ensemble practice. Over 19 years of public school teaching, combined with extensive clinic work at the college and university level, inform his deep understanding of what student musicians can achieve. His compositions have reached audiences through network television broadcasts and performances across Europe, Japan, and the Pacific Rim. The National Band Association recognized his contributions with a Citation of Excellence, and he holds degrees from Valley City State University, Northern Colorado University, and graduate credentials in composition from California State University, Long Beach.
Why we love this
Ployhar understands that a concert needs moments of genuine levity, and this piece delivers exactly that without sacrificing musicianship from the band itself. The setup (faculty as percussion soloists) is so straightforward and absurd that it practically directs itself, leaving you free to focus on keeping the ensemble locked and spirited. Your audience will remember this as the moment the concert became fun.
What to expect
The piece radiates intentional lightness and mischief. Faculty soloists stumble and recover while the band carries on with earnest musicality, creating an affectionate joke at everyone's expense. The humor is generous and inclusive, never mean-spirited, making it a moment of shared delight between performers and audience alike.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a sure-fire crowd-pleaser for a pops concert or spring program need look no further than this title. Grade 2 accessibility means your full band can participate meaningfully while faculty volunteers take center stage with minimal preparation. It works equally well as an icebreaker at the start of a concert or as the finale that sends audiences out laughing.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the percussion soloists embrace the humor fully. Their comfort and willingness to commit to comic timing matters far more than technical precision, which keeps rehearsals light and prevents anxiety among willing volunteers.
- Establish clear cues with your soloists during rehearsal so the band knows exactly when to support or react musically. A shared laugh in the section during rehearsals builds the ensemble's investment in the success of the bit.
- Keep the band's playing clean and confident. The piece's comedy depends partly on the contrast between polished ensemble work and the soloists' deliberate lack of finesse.
- Mark any passages where the soloists need breathing room, and make sure your ensemble knows to sit back slightly in those moments. The band serves the comedy here, not the other way around.
How to use it
Slot this into a concert where it can serve as a palate cleanser between serious works or as a closer that sends the audience home in high spirits. Spring pops concerts and end-of-year performances are natural fits, but consider using it early in the season to build camaraderie among your musicians and establish that the year will include joy alongside the work. The Grade 2 level ensures your ensemble can execute it cleanly alongside more substantial repertoire on the same program.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining ensemble focus and rhythm while accompanying a non-professional soloist
- Playing confidently at Grade 2 level across concert band instrumentation
- Responding to visual cues and adapting to unpredictable performer timing
- Supporting a musical intention (comedy) through precise ensemble balance rather than display