Shark Attack!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Playful and unpredictable. The piece balances traditional ensemble passages with moments of controlled musical chaos, creating an engaging listening experience that keeps audiences on their toes while students feel the thrill of structured freedom.

Grade 1 concert bands looking to program something accessible yet pedagogically substantive. This works especially well for directors seeking repertoire that challenges students' ears and expands their understanding of harmony without requiring advanced technical skills.

• Establish clear hand signals for the attack sections so students understand when to enter and exit their free playing; this prevents the piece from falling apart and keeps the ensemble together.
• Rehearse the "any note" passages separately from the rest of the piece so students grasp the concept and feel confident exploring pitch freedom within the structured framework.
• Use these moments as a teaching opportunity to discuss dissonance and tone color; students will hear how their individual choices layer into the overall effect.

Program this early in a concert to grab attention and set an unconventional tone, or use it as a palate cleanser between heavier works. Its brevity and novelty make it memorable enough to stick with audiences while demonstrating your band's versatility.

• Understanding dissonant harmony through ear training
• Responding to visual cues and gesture-based conducting
• Playing independently while maintaining ensemble awareness
• Exploration of tone color and individual pitch choices within a group context