Superior Tradition: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$72.00 USD

Superior Tradition: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Superior Tradition: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-29489
Price: 72.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Gary Fagan

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-29489

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Superior Tradition takes your band on a rhythmic ride full of syncopation and energy. A contrasting lyrical theme provides moments of beauty and dignity to this outstanding composition. (5:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Superior Tradition: 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: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 282

UPC: 038081315638

SKU: 00-29489

More about this title

About the Composer: Gary Fagan

Gary Fagan has built a distinctive career as both educator and composer, grounded in decades of classroom experience. After 36 years leading the band program in Albemarle County, he brought his knowledge of what works in rehearsal and performance directly into his compositional practice. His music has been heard at prestigious venues including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the White House, and he earned recognition as Central Virginia Outstanding Middle School Teacher and multiple Outstanding Educator Awards throughout his career.

Fagan holds degrees in Music Education from Bridgewater College and a Master's degree from James Madison University, where he currently serves as a University Supervisor and has taught arranging as adjunct faculty. Active as a clinician, adjudicator, and percussionist with the Charlottesville Band, he remains engaged with the band directing community through the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association and serves as a member of ASCAP, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity.

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Why we love this

Fagan understands the rhythmic appetites and musical maturity of Grade 3 bands. Superior Tradition delivers the energy and drive that keeps students engaged while the contrasting lyrical section rewards careful phrasing and gives your ensemble moments to demonstrate musicality beyond technical precision. The 5-minute span provides substance without demanding an unrealistic rehearsal investment, making it viable for both concert and festival programming.

What to expect

Superior Tradition carries the momentum of contemporary band writing with rhythmic vitality that propels the ensemble forward. The lyrical center offers breathing room and dignity, creating emotional contrast that prevents the piece from becoming merely flashy.

Who it's for

Grade 3 concert bands seeking music that energizes without overwhelming. This works equally well for ensembles developing rhythmic confidence and those ready to tackle syncopated writing with sophistication. Directors programming festival circuits or concert seasons benefit from a piece that delivers impact and musicality at a manageable technical level.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the syncopated figures early in rehearsal as rhythmic anchors; have students tap the syncopations against a steady pulse before playing to lock the subdivision.
Shape the lyrical theme with attention to breath points and dynamic shape rather than mechanical uniformity; this section earns its contrasting power through genuine musical conversation.
Balance the energy of the outer sections against the reflective quality of the middle material; resist the urge to play the lyrical section lightly or apologetically.

How to use it

Program this as a second or closing piece on a concert where it can anchor the program with energy and purpose. The five-minute duration and Grade 3 accessibility make it an intelligent festival selection that allows your band to show both technical facility and musical maturity without overshadowing larger works. Consider pairing it with a slower, contrasting selection to highlight the full range of your ensemble.