The Haunted Carousel: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This piece won the 2014 NBA Young Band Composition Contest for good reason: it solves a real problem for fall programming by delivering genuine Halloween atmosphere without relying on tired arrangements. The optional theremin part performed on iPad via GarageBand adds theatrical flair that engages audiences while keeping the writing accessible at Grade 3. Every element works, from the orchestration to the pacing, making this a piece that directors program again and again.

The Haunted Carousel conjures the uncanny beauty of a carnival ride in an abandoned fairground. Svanoe's orchestration alternates between lush, swaying motion and sudden unsettling textures, with the theremin's wavering pitch adding an unsettling presence that feels both nostalgic and deeply strange. The piece builds atmosphere through color and phrasing rather than bombast, creating a soundscape that lingers.

Conductors seeking a Grade 3 concert piece that captures Halloween energy without gimmickry. This works equally well for high school bands building fall concert programs and younger ensembles ready for something with theatrical character and modest technical demands.

• Designate one student or tech-savvy accompanist to handle the iPad theremin part well before rehearsals begin. The part is optional, but its eerie texture transforms the piece, so experiment with amplification and volume balance in your venue.
• Balance the theremin's floating melodic line against the band's foundational texture by encouraging your winds to support rather than overwhelm. The electronic sound cuts through easily, so restraint in the accompaniment creates space.
• Treat the tempo markings as character descriptors as much as metronome settings. Slight flexibility in phrasing will enhance the carousel's mechanical-yet-haunting quality without derailing ensemble precision.
• Use the full 4:20 runtime to build narrative arc. The piece has distinct sections, so rehearse them separately first, then work on transitions that feel inevitable rather than abrupt.

Program this as the centerpiece of a Halloween or fall-themed concert, or use it to open a program that explores darker, more sophisticated repertoire. At Grade 3, it pairs well with both lighter fare and more demanding works, giving directors flexibility in concert construction. The piece also works beautifully as a closing selection before intermission, leaving audiences talking.

• Balancing electronic and acoustic sound in ensemble context
• Sustaining tonal control in haunting, atmospheric writing
• Responding to subtle dynamic and timbral shifts
• Ensemble cohesion across distinct melodic and accompaniment roles
• Interpreting program music with character and restraint