Symphonic Stories: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Chris M. Bernotas
Grade: 4
Item: 00-PK-0009289
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Description
Music often tells a story, and in this piece, each melodic line represents that idea. As the melodic lines weave together, it is the telling of a story that includes feelings of reflection, thought, and, of course, happiness and joy! Each musical story is personal, as music impacts us all differently. Symphonic Stories, by Chris M. Bernotas, starts with a reflective section filled with emotion and solo opportunities. It then seamlessly weaves into a 12/8 section that is filled with joy and an infectious melodic line. Every section of the band has important and engaging parts that are appropriately challenging. (5:10)
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0009289
More about this title
About the Composer: Chris M. Bernotas
Chris M. Bernotas brings over 25 years of experience as a composer, conductor, and music educator to his work. As Director of Instrumental Publications for Alfred Music, he develops band and orchestra resources used by ensembles worldwide, drawing on direct classroom experience to understand the real challenges teachers face.
Bernotas has established himself as a guest conductor and clinician, leading honor groups and workshops while continuing to compose music that balances accessibility with genuine musical substance. His published works span numerous pedagogical resources, including Sound Innovations Ensemble Development, Sound Percussion, Sound Artistry, and Sound Performance. He remains deeply invested in supporting music education through conducting clinics, writing, and the creation of repertoire that engages students across all skill levels.
Why we love this
Bernotas crafts a piece that respects your band's maturity while remaining genuinely rewarding at Grade 4. The structural arc from reflective opening to buoyant 12/8 section gives your concert a memorable emotional journey without requiring virtuosic demands. Every section plays meaningful material, which means no student sits idle during rehearsal.
What to expect
The opening settles into quiet reflection, inviting listeners into personal musical storytelling. When the 12/8 emerges, brightness floods in with an irresistible melodic hook that lifts the whole ensemble.
Who it's for
Grade 4 bands with solid fundamentals and the confidence to handle contrasting meters and textures within one piece. This works equally well for groups preparing for contests and festivals or building concert programs that showcase musical growth.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the reflective opening with dynamic restraint; let the solo passages breathe and establish the emotional foundation before the energy shifts to 12/8.
- Lock the transition into the 12/8 section with clear articulation and rhythmic precision, since the meter change can feel unsettling if the ensemble doesn't commit together.
- Balance the melodic lines as they weave throughout; use sectional rehearsals to ensure each part understands its role in the musical conversation rather than treating all lines equally.
- Emphasize the infectious quality of the 12/8 melody by avoiding a sluggish feel; this section thrives on rhythmic lift and forward momentum.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to establish an introspective, story-driven tone before moving into lighter fare, or position it mid-program as a turning point that shifts the emotional temperature. Its five-minute duration and contest-festival designation make it ideal for competitive programming while also serving as a concert centerpiece that demonstrates your band's musical maturity.
Skills your students will build
- Transitioning between contrasting meters (simple and compound time)
- Balancing ensemble sound across weaving melodic lines
- Sustaining emotional expression during sustained reflective passages
- Creating rhythmic lift and momentum in 12/8 meter
- Listening for and responding to solo opportunities within an ensemble context