Sticky Notes: Tuba
By Vince Gassi
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PC-0019758_TB1
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Description
What begins as simple motion---a clap, a tap, a click---gradually builds into a tightly woven engine of sound, pulsing with precision and drive. A lyrical motif rises above the rhythmic undercurrent, adding contrast and lift as the stage transforms into a living, breathing beat---bold and unexpected. The energy builds, layer upon layer, toward a powerful crescendo of motion and sound. Ideal for developing ensemble timing and rhythmic awareness, Sticky Notes, by Vince Gassi, promotes listening, coordination, and student engagement---all wrapped in a fun, accessible package for young bands.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Sticky Notes: Tuba 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:
Young Symphonic Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019758_TB1
More about this title
About the Composer: Vince Gassi
Vince Gassi has been publishing through Alfred Music since 2006 and has amassed over 100 compositions for young and developing ensembles. His gift lies in creating music that challenges students musically while remaining accessible, and his works regularly appear on contest and festival programs across North America, Europe, and Japan. Gassi holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario, studied composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, and earned his Ph.D. in music from York University in Toronto.
With twenty-five years of experience teaching instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels, Gassi understands what works in the rehearsal room. He is a frequent guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, and leads professional development workshops on student engagement, arranging concepts, and digital workflows for music directors. His pieces are heard regularly at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, reflecting their standing in the concert band repertoire.
Why we love this
Gassi constructs this piece as a masterclass in rhythmic layering and ensemble listening. Beginning with simple, discrete sounds and building methodically toward full ensemble texture keeps student musicians engaged from the opening measure while reinforcing fundamental concepts of balance and precision that transfer directly to everything else they perform.
What to expect
The piece opens with tactile simplicity—claps, taps, clicks—that grow into a driving, precisely coordinated machine. A singing melody floats above the carefully constructed rhythmic framework, creating dynamic tension between the mechanical and the lyrical before everything converges in a bold, propulsive climax.
Who it's for
Grade 2.5 concert bands seeking repertoire that teaches rhythmic independence and ensemble coordination without sacrificing musicality. This work suits developing groups that are ready to handle multiple simultaneous rhythmic ideas and benefit from the tangible satisfaction of building a complex texture from the ground up.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the pulse clearly in early rehearsals before adding layers. Let students internalize the foundational rhythm patterns individually before combining them, so the final unified sound feels earned rather than imposed.
- Balance the lyrical motif against the rhythmic foundation by bringing out the melodic line through careful dynamic shaping, preventing it from disappearing beneath the driving accompaniment.
- Subdivide through the entire piece, especially as layers multiply. Young ensembles often rush compound rhythmic textures, and conductor clarity gives them permission to stay locked in.
- Control the crescendo through the final section with intentional step-ups rather than one continuous swell. Staged dynamic increases maintain clarity and allow each new layer to register with the audience.
How to use it
This work sits naturally in a concert program as a centerpiece demonstrating ensemble growth and technical refinement. The building nature of the music and its inherent drama make it equally valuable as a festival contest entry where judges reward clarity of execution and controlled ensemble development.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic independence and layering in mixed meters
- Ensemble timing and precision with multiple simultaneous patterns
- Active listening across sections while maintaining individual lines
- Dynamic control and balance between melodic and rhythmic material
- Controlled crescendo building with staged intensity increases