Short Cuts for Beginning Band -- #1: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
I. The Magnificent Seven, II. Wipe Out, III. Over the Rainbow, IV. Scooby Do, Where Are You?
Various / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0005540
$61.00
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Description
Here are four highly recognizable pop tunes, carefully scored for your beginners but with identifiable teaching concepts at the forefront. Use these wonderful melodies to reinforce articulations, form, chromatics, legato and staccato style, dynamics, and balance. These titles can be performed in one concert setting or distributed throughout your teaching year to foster your teaching objectives. Titles included in this first installment are "The Magnificent Seven," "Wipe Out," "Over the Rainbow," and "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" Brilliant! (6:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Short Cuts for Beginning Band -- #1: 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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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
134
SKU:
00-PK-0005540
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story has established himself as one of the most prolific and respected arrangers for young and developing bands. His arrangements consistently balance musical integrity with pedagogical clarity, making challenging repertoire accessible without sacrificing artistic value. Story's deep understanding of beginning band instrumentation and student capabilities informs every note he writes, earning him widespread adoption in school music programs across the country.
Why we love this
Story's knack for choosing iconic pop melodies that students actually know makes these arrangements instantly engaging. The deliberate pedagogical scaffolding means you're not just playing recognizable tunes; you're systematically reinforcing articulation clarity, dynamic control, and stylistic contrast in a way that feels organic to the music rather than imposed. Four titles in one collection give you flexibility to use them strategically throughout the year without depleting your concert repertoire budget.
What to expect
Energetic and immediately rewarding. Students recognize these melodies from culture and media, so there's an instant sense of accomplishment and fun. The pop idiom keeps the mood lighter than classical teaching pieces, while the careful voicing maintains musical substance and allows moments of genuine lyricism (especially in 'Over the Rainbow').
Who it's for
Beginning band directors who want to program high-engagement repertoire without sacrificing teaching objectives. These arrangements work for Grade 1 bands that have enough foundational stability to handle style variety and articulation contrast.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the staccato passages in 'Wipe Out' and 'Scooby Doo' early in rehearsal to establish crisp articulation before combining with other sections.
- Use the chromatic movement in 'The Magnificent Seven' as an opportunity to check intonation in your woodwind sections; chromatics expose tuning problems quickly.
- Shape the legato lines in 'Over the Rainbow' by having students conduct themselves through long phrases to internalize the arc and avoid static dynamics.
- Balance the melody and harmony by rotating which sections carry the primary line; this builds independence and keeps all parts engaged.
How to use it
Front-load 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'Wipe Out' early in the fall to build articulation chops and confidence, then hold 'Over the Rainbow' for a winter concert showcase of legato playing and dynamic control. 'Scooby Doo' works well as an upbeat closer or a fun standalone performance at pep assemblies. Spacing them across the year means you have fresh, teachable material ready whenever you need targeted reinforcement of specific concepts.
Skills your students will build
- Staccato and legato articulation in contrasting musical contexts
- Dynamic control and balance between melody and accompaniment
- Chromatic intonation and pitch accuracy
- Form recognition and stylistic consistency
- Sectional independence and part security