Short and Sweet: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Bright and energetic, with the kind of technical sparkle you'd expect from turn-of-the-century wind writing. The cornets dart and weave through fast passages with character and charm, while the band provides a solid, supportive foundation.

Band directors looking for a Grade 3 showcase piece that showcases strong cornet players without relying on a piano reduction. This works well for concerts where you want to highlight duet work within an ensemble context.

• Establish a steady pulse before the fast passages begin; the triple tonguing and rapid fingerwork demand precision from both cornets, so a click or metronome in rehearsal pays dividends.
• Balance the cornet duet so both lines remain audible even when the accompaniment thickens; resist the urge to pull the soloists too far forward.
• Mark the conductor score clearly with your preferred tempo and cues for ensemble entries, since the duet writing can shift focus away from the full band.
• Allow the cornets separate practice time to lock their articulation patterns together before integrating with the full ensemble.

Place this in the second half of a concert where you want to shift momentum and spotlight your cornet section. It pairs well with contrasting slower works and gives audiences a chance to appreciate individual musicianship within the ensemble.

• Triple tonguing and rapid articulation on brass instruments
• Duet balance and blend with a partner
• Reading and executing fast passage work at Grade 3 level
• Listening to ensemble accompaniment while maintaining individual line integrity