Song and Good Cheer: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Leo Kraft
Item: 35-PK00263464
$12.20
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
An energetic piece for Concert Band, for the Queens College Wind Ensemble Duration: 06:00
Song and Good Cheer: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00263464
More about this title
About the Arranger: Leo Kraft
Leo Kraft (1922-2006) was an American composer and educator whose catalog spans orchestral works, chamber music, and extensive wind band writing. His arrangements and original compositions for concert band demonstrate a keen understanding of ensemble sonority and the pedagogical value of crafting pieces that engage musicians across ability levels.
Kraft's contributions to wind band literature reflect his career as both a working composer and a teacher who believed in creating music that challenged performers without sacrificing musicality. His work for concert band has become a staple in school and university programs seeking repertoire that balances accessibility with artistic substance.
Why we love this
Song and Good Cheer radiates the kind of straightforward joy that energizes an entire rehearsal. The piece communicates its character immediately, giving student musicians a clear emotional target while Kraft's orchestration ensures every section stays engaged and musically visible throughout the six minutes.
What to expect
Optimistic and buoyant, with the kind of straightforward character that makes listeners smile. The music unfolds with genuine warmth, the kind that comes from melodies that sit naturally in their ranges and harmonies that feel inevitable rather than forced.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the high school and university level looking for repertoire that lifts mood without demanding advanced virtuosity. Directors who want their students to experience the satisfaction of performing a complete, thoughtfully arranged work in a single rehearsal cycle.
How to get the most out of it
- Maintain clear articulation in the woodwind passages to let the melodic lines cut through the fuller harmonic background. Crisp tonguing in the flutes and oboes will define the "cheer" in this piece.
- Balance the brass carefully during tutti sections so the ensemble sings as one unit rather than layering separate timbres. The energy comes from unified sound, not individual brilliance.
- Shape the phrasing with small tempo flexibility, allowing moments of repose to breathe before building back into the energetic sections. Avoid pushing straight through at relentless speed.
- Engage your percussion section as active ensemble members rather than timekeeper accessories. The rhythmic clarity they provide anchors the good spirits without overstatement.
How to use it
This works beautifully as an opener for spring concerts or end-of-year celebrations where mood matters as much as difficulty. It also pairs well with serious repertoire on a program, providing necessary contrast and reminding audiences why ensemble music brings people together.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion during homophonic textures
- Balancing individual line awareness with collective sound
- Interpreting and executing phrasing across multiple instrumental voices
- Responding to conductor gestures that shape ensemble energy and tempo