The Good Life: Score
By Rob Grice
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0005724
$7.00
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Description
"The Good Life" was written to honor the music teachers that make a positive difference in the lives of their students. Their actions inspire students to imagine their own potential to become the best that they can be. (2:15) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Good Life: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Debut Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
106
SKU:
00-PR-0005724
More about this title
About the Composer: Rob Grice
Rob Grice's compositions and arrangements have traveled far beyond the United States, earning performances throughout Australia, Canada, Europe, and Japan. His original works have been programmed at prestigious venues and conferences including the Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, and the Society of Wind Instruments in Germany, while his pieces regularly appear on state and national contest lists.
Grice's success with young band repertoire stems directly from his work in the classroom. He has taught at elementary, secondary, and community college levels, giving him deep insight into what students need to play and what conductors need to teach. His contributions to music education were recognized when he received the Secondary Teacher of the Year award from the Enterprise City School System in Alabama and the Golden Apple Award from WDHN-TV18. He continues to work as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator with concert bands and percussion ensembles.
Why we love this
Grice wrote this piece specifically to celebrate the teachers who shape young musicians' lives and futures. The Grade 1 scoring keeps all students engaged and playing something meaningful from the first reading, while the two-minute-fifteen-second duration fits naturally into any concert or festival program without requiring elaborate rehearsal time.
What to expect
Uplifting and purposeful, the music conveys optimism without sentimentality. The orchestration lets each section be heard, creating a sense of unity and shared accomplishment that mirrors the collaborative nature of ensemble playing.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands at the middle school level or entry-level high school ensembles will find this piece immediately accessible and rewarding to perform. Directors seeking Grade 1 repertoire with genuine musical substance and a meaningful message will appreciate that Grice has written something students can take pride in playing.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady, confident tempo from the downbeat; this piece's power comes from clarity and forward motion rather than complexity.
- Balance the melodic lines across sections so the inspirational character shines through without any single voice overwhelming the texture.
- Give students time to connect with the piece's message before the first performance; explain why Grice wrote it and what the music expresses about potential and growth.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set an encouraging and positive tone, or use it as a festival selection that demonstrates the ensemble's musicality and growth at an early stage of the season. Its brief length also makes it an ideal choice for community events or assemblies where you want to showcase the band's developing skills.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing concert band texture with all sections contributing equally
- Sustaining steady tempo and pulse in a structured form
- Balancing dynamics to support melodic clarity
- Understanding how musical choices can express meaning beyond the notes on the page