Soothsayer: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$75.00 USD

Soothsayer: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Soothsayer: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50877
Price: 75.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Eric Rath

Grade: 3

Item: 00-50877

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Soothsayer, by Eric Rath, is a study in contrast and mood. Music with a mystical and otherworldly tone portrays a soothsayer--an oracle, fortune teller, or diviner. Mostly in 3/4 time and primarily built on the octatonic scale (half and whole steps alternating), the percussionists also get to have a heyday with this one. Students not only get to show off their technical side but work to develop smooth, flowing lines and a maturity to balance the most important part at any given moment. Enjoy the ride! (2:55)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Soothsayer: 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: Young Symphonic

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-6837-8

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6837-2

UPC: 038081587240

SKU: 00-50877

More about this title

About the Composer: Eric Rath

Eric Rath brings dual expertise as both a seasoned music educator and an accomplished composer. He has directed bands and orchestras at the middle and high school levels, taught percussion at Amarillo College, and maintains active roles as a clinician, adjudicator, and arranger. His original works and arrangements have been published through Alfred Music, FJH Music, Tapspace Publications, and TRN Music, and performed at venues including the Midwest Clinic, the Texas Music Educator's Association Convention, and the International Double Reed Society's Convention.

Rath's prolific output extends beyond concert compositions to include pedagogical resources co-authored with Ralph Hicks, among them the percussion ensemble collection "Beyond Basic Percussion" and the fundamental drill books "Five Minute Drill" and "Nine Minute Drill." A West Texas A&M University graduate with degrees in music education and music arts, he holds memberships in the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and ASCAP. He performs regularly as a freelance percussionist with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and Amarillo Opera, and serves as a Yamaha Performing Artist and educational artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc.

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Why we love this

Rath builds genuine contrast into every moment here, alternating between mystical passages and technical showcases without ever losing coherence. The octatonic harmonic language feels exotic without overwhelming Grade 3 players, and the percussion writing is ambitious enough to reward serious preparation without requiring advanced specialists.

What to expect

Otherworldly and deliberate, like watching someone peer into a crystal ball. The alternating whole and half steps create an unsettling, hypnotic quality that feels at once ancient and timeless, while technical passages inject moments of clarity and control that push against the mystique.

Who it's for

Grade 3 concert bands ready to explore less familiar harmonic territory and build musical maturity beyond straightforward meter and tonality. This piece rewards groups with solid fundamentals in intonation, balance, and listening skills, and offers percussion sections a chance to shine in a substantive role.

How to get the most out of it

Let the percussion establish the unsettling mood in exposed sections; their rhythmic precision sets the foundation for the winds to layer in flowing lines on top.
Shape dynamic contours carefully through the octatonic passages to prevent the unusual harmonic language from sounding disjointed; think of the scale as a single color that needs depth and movement.
Balance the soloist at any given moment by coaching the supporting sections to listen actively and adjust their weight accordingly, especially during transitions between themes.
Take the full 2:55 duration seriously; resist the temptation to rush the quieter, atmospheric sections, which are essential to the soothsayer character.

How to use it

Program this as a contest or festival selection where its programmatic clarity and musical sophistication will impress adjudicators while engaging young audiences. It pairs well with more traditional works on a concert program, offering a compelling contrast that demonstrates your band's range.