Star Dust: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Warren Barker's arrangement honors Carmichael's elegant melody while giving concert bands a genuinely singable feature that works equally well as an instrumental solo. At Grade 4, this sits in that sweet spot where the writing is sophisticated enough to sound mature and polished without overwhelming developing musicians. The flexibility to feature any of three solo instruments means you can cast the piece to your strengths and feature soloists across your section.

Nostalgic and gently swinging, with the warmth of a classic ballroom or jazz standard translated into concert band sonority. The arrangement wraps the solo melody in lush, colorful harmonies that feel inviting rather than heavy.

Concert bands looking to program a feature that showcases a strong soloist while offering the ensemble music that sounds sophisticated and modern. This works equally well in a concert setting, jazz showcase, or educational context where you want to teach the sound and harmonic language of the American songbook.

• Shape the melodic line with careful attention to phrase breathing; the lush harmonization in the band can easily obscure the soloist's lyrical intent if the ensemble doesn't listen and support dynamically.
• Balance the solo voice or instrument to sit naturally above the band without requiring extreme dynamic contrast; Barker's orchestration is designed to accompany, not compete.
• Work the band's harmonic support with sensitivity to the standard jazz voicings underneath the melody; this arrangement assumes players understand that this is stylistic music, not classical orchestral writing.

Pair this with other pop symphonic arrangements to build a first-half set that emphasizes American songwriting and vocal music traditions, or use it as a palate-cleansing feature between heavier contemporary works. The accessibility and maturity of the writing make it equally at home in a community concert, school holiday program, or festival performance.

• Supporting a soloist with ensemble balance and dynamic flexibility
• Playing jazz-influenced harmonic voicings with idiomatic phrasing
• Responding to lyrical, song-like melodic expression in a concert band setting
• Ensemble listening and sectional blend at Grade 4 complexity