The Age of the Dinosaur: Concert Band Conductor Score

Marlatt captures the distinct personalities of three dinosaur groups with orchestration that young musicians can actually hear and feel. The piece never talks down to its players; instead, it trusts them to shape character through dynamic control and articulation, making every section feel like they're telling the story themselves.

You're transported to a prehistoric landscape where each dinosaur group has a distinct voice. Heavy, methodical footsteps give way to graceful gliding, then sudden, primal attacks. The 1:35 duration moves quickly enough to hold young players' attention while giving each musical character room to breathe.

Beginning and developing concert bands working at Grade 0.5-1 level. This piece is ideal for groups with limited instrumental ranges and early ensemble cohesion who still need accessible material with genuine musical storytelling.

• Balance the opening sauropod theme so the lower voices establish weight and presence without overwhelming the melodic line. Young bands often rush this section; take time to let it lumber.
• Highlight the pterosaur's soaring passages by letting the upper woodwinds breathe freely while the rest of the band pulls back slightly. This creates the floating, effortless quality the composer intended.
• Shape the T-Rex attacks with sudden dynamic shifts and tight rhythmic precision. Mark these sections in rehearsal and practice them at tempo so the contrast reads clearly.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to help establish the tempo and character of each section, especially during the first readings with your band.

Perfect for a winter or early spring concert when you want to program something playful that appeals to families and younger audience members. It pairs well with other accessible character pieces and works as an excellent opener to warm up the band before more serious repertoire.

• Dynamic contrast and shaping (soft, sustained tones for sauropods; sudden forte attacks for predators)
• Articulation variety (detached staccato for agility; legato for soaring lines)
• Listening for orchestration balance (distinguishing melodic lines from harmonic support)
• Tempo stability across contrasting sections
• Musical character interpretation through instrumentation