Stumptown Stomp: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Hodges writes concert band music that remembers what makes early-level rehearsals fun. Every section gets the melody at some point, which builds confidence and keeps energy high, while the woodwind writing gives everyone something interesting to do during ensemble passages. The piece delivers exactly what a Grade 1.5 band needs: accessible, musically satisfying, and genuinely entertaining for players and audiences alike.

Stumptown Stomp bubbles with infectious rhythmic energy and good humor. The fiddle-imitation writing conjures a folk or Americana spirit, while the passing of the theme creates a sense of friendly competition and inclusion as each section steps into the spotlight.

This piece is ideal for Grade 1.5 concert bands seeking repertoire that engages all players equally. It works beautifully for bands building ensemble awareness and sectional pride, as well as for programs that prioritize audience connection and student enjoyment.

• Keep the pulse steady and crisp; the hand-clapping element needs a clear pulse to land properly and maintain that toe-tapping character.
• Balance the fiddle imitations in the woodwinds so they cut through without overpowering the theme statements in the other sections.
• Bring out the transitions between sections as the theme passes around the ensemble; clarity here keeps momentum strong and shows off the sectional writing.

Program this as a concert opener or mid-concert pick-me-up to shift mood and energy. It pairs well alongside other light concert repertoire when building a program that celebrates the fun and accessibility of band playing, and it's especially effective early in the school year when ensemble cohesion is still developing.

• Listening across sections while maintaining individual parts
• Balancing melody and accompaniment textures
• Responding to theme transfers and sectional cues
• Sustaining rhythmic accuracy in ensemble contexts
• Articulation control in woodwind passages