Stomping on Ants: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Bate writes with genuine understanding of what makes young musicians want to play. The piece balances genuine musicianship (blues language, flutter-tonguing) with theatrical humor that audiences adore, so students get to deliver real musical skill wrapped in a performance experience that feels like play. The novelty hook never overshadows the music itself.

Wiggly and playful, with a bluesy pocket that grounds the humor. The piece breathes like a friendly game of tag, complete with unexpected twists and a finale that lands just right.

Young concert bands at the Grade 1.5 level seeking a performance piece that entertains without sacrificing musicianship. Directors who want to program something students will be excited to play and audiences will remember, particularly for family concerts or school assemblies where engagement matters as much as sophistication.

• Highlight the section interplay by rehearsing the 'ant' and 'stomper' roles separately first. Assign those identities clearly so musicians understand they're dramatizing a narrative, not just playing rhythms.
• The flutter-tonguing passages reward precision; isolate those measures and have brass players practice the technique on long tones before inserting it into the musical context.
• Use the surprise ending as motivation during ensemble rehearsals. Once students know what's coming, they'll lock in the rhythmic setup and deliver the payoff with confidence.
• Balance the bluesy character by letting the rhythm section sit comfortably in the pocket rather than rushing; the piece's charm depends on groove, not speed.

This works beautifully as an opener to set a lighter tone early in a concert, or as a breather between heavier works where you need to reset audience energy. It's also ideal for a young band's first experience with novelty programming, teaching them how to balance theatrical performance with musical integrity.

• Flutter-tonguing technique (brass)
• Blues tonality and phrasing
• Rhythmic precision in call-and-response passages
• Sectional independence and ensemble balance
• Sustaining musical character through programmatic storytelling