Shadows of the Equinox: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$65.00 USD

Shadows of the Equinox: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Shadows of the Equinox: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-37824
Price: 65.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert Sheldon

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-37824

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One moment…

As summer ends, the chill of the autumn air awakens feelings within us. The shadows are longer in late afternoon and darkness comes early. The trees are losing their leaves and their gnarled trunks and branches take on sinister profiles against the looming twilight. We shudder at the cold wind. Our pulse quickens and we suddenly want to return to the safety and warmth of home. Night falls and we are once again at peace. We say a final farewell to the carefree days of summer and accept the relentless march of the seasons. Winter will soon be here. (5:05)

"Shadows of the Equinox" is a dramatic and lyrical piece inspired by a late Midwest autumn. It was commissioned by the 2010 Festival of Bands, Vincennes, Indiana, including the bands from Barr-Reeve, Loogootee, Mitchell, North Daviess, North Knox, and South Knox High Schools. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Shadows of the Equinox: 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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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 144

UPC: 038081429748

SKU: 00-37824

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon stands among today's most frequently performed composers of wind band repertoire. His works appear on concert programs and contest lists across the globe, performed by ensembles ranging from high school bands to professional groups. A prolific writer who co-authored Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Sheldon has earned recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP for compositions that blend technical craftsmanship with genuine musical expression.

He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, clinician, and commissioned composer. Sheldon has conducted his own works at Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. His international conducting and teaching experience spans the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education and composition.

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Why we love this

Sheldon captures something genuinely cinematic in this piece without relying on empty effects or overwrought orchestration. The narrative arc (from unease to acceptance) gives your band a clear emotional story to tell, and the Grade 3 scoring ensures every section has meaningful material to play. Programming this as a festival showcase or concert centerpiece feels substantial without requiring virtuosic soloists.

What to expect

The music moves through deepening unease and shadow before finding resolution and quiet acceptance. Gnarled orchestral colors, minor-key passages, and shifting textures evoke the visual imagery of late autumn, while the overall arc guides the listener from apprehension toward peace. By the final measures, the piece settles into a calm farewell that feels earned rather than imposed.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 3 level with balanced instrumentation and solid fundamental control. Directors preparing festival or contest entries will find a piece with genuine dramatic weight and coherent form that doesn't shortcut musicianship. The programmatic nature makes it engaging for students who connect with storytelling and seasonal reflection.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the atmospheric opening with careful control of dynamics and balance; the strings and low winds set the mood, so resist the urge to push volume early.
Shape the climactic passages with deliberate phrasing rather than raw intensity; Sheldon's writing builds tension through layering and harmonic movement, not just fortissimo blasts.
Use the optional expressive solos (particularly in the lyrical sections) as opportunities to develop individual voices, but keep them anchored to the larger ensemble pulse.
Pay attention to the score's harmonic language in the transitional moments; slight tempo flexibility here helps clarify the shift from darkness to acceptance at the end.

How to use it

Position this as the emotional anchor of a fall concert, either opening the second half or closing the program. It pairs well with lighter or more playful selections, creating programming contrast. The 5:05 duration and medium difficulty make it accessible for festival submission without requiring extensive rehearsal time beyond what you'd invest in quality repertoire anyway.