Symphonic Portrait (based on Our Director): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Brown
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00146117
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Description
F. E. Bigelow composed "Our Director" in 1892, and in the decades that followed it became widely used in such diverse settings as silent films, vaudeville, World War I, and adapted as college fight songs and alma maters (e.g. Harvard, Rice and Furman). Michael's impressive setting for band opens with a noble introduction leading to hints of Bigelow's trio theme. This theme is alternated with an original theme until both appear gloriously at the maestoso. Dedicated to Furman's Director Emeritus of Bands, Dan Atkins Ellis (1929-2007). Dur: 6:15
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00146117
More about this title
Why we love this
Brown's orchestration transforms a piece with deep historical roots into something that feels both reverent and vivid for young ensembles. The way he weaves the original Bigelow theme alongside his own material creates natural interest without overwhelming a Grade 3 band, and the dedication to Dan Atkins Ellis gives the work genuine human resonance that students can feel.
What to expect
Stately and purposeful, with an undercurrent of affection. The music moves between moments of quiet dignity and radiant fullness, creating the sense of looking back warmly on someone's legacy while celebrating what they built.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3 level who want repertoire with historical substance and meaningful context. This works especially well for ensembles connected to educational institutions with their own rich histories, or for any director seeking a piece that honors a beloved mentor or colleague.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the noble introduction carefully; the opening should feel spacious and unhurried, which sets up the thematic material that follows with proper weight.
- Isolate the transition between Bigelow's trio theme and Brown's original theme in sectional rehearsals so the contrast reads clearly without sounding abrupt.
- Bring the maestoso section to full voice but maintain clarity in the upper woodwinds as both themes intertwine; this is where the piece's architecture truly shines.
How to use it
This pairs beautifully on a concert celebrating institutional anniversaries, retirements, or alumni traditions. At 6:15, it works as a substantial centerpiece without dominating a program, and its connection to college alma maters makes it particularly fitting for events bridging high school and university communities.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing lyrical phrasing across sustained passages
- Executing smooth thematic transitions between contrasting material
- Maintaining clarity and blend during tutti scoring with multiple themes sounding simultaneously
- Shaping introductory and transitional sections with appropriate rubato and breath