The Lakes: Bassoon
By Robert Sheldon
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PC-0019507_B1
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Description
Written in two distinct sections, The Lakes, by Robert Sheldon, opens with a lyrical theme reminiscent of many much-loved American hymns and gospel tunes. Important parts appear in all parts, but feature the bells, chimes, and euphonium. The second half of the piece is a British-style march, starting with a brief percussion interlude, and gradually adding wind instruments until the full band finishes the march with all the enthusiasm it can muster! (3:10)
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019507_B1
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers in the wind band repertoire today. His works appear regularly on contest lists and concert programs worldwide, and he has conducted his music in some of the world's most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. Sheldon is the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and has earned recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP for compositions that balance musical substance with accessibility.
Beyond the concert stage, Sheldon maintains an active presence in music education as a clinician and guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands. He has presented at colleges, universities, and state music education conferences across the United States and internationally in Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2020, affirming his significant contributions to the field.
Why we love this
The structure of The Lakes gives conductors an ideal teaching tool at the 2.5 grade level: a genuinely melodic first section that invites musicianship and sectional balance, followed by a march that builds energy with transparent orchestration. Sheldon's writing ensures that important material reaches nearly every part, so students feel ownership of the piece rather than sitting idle. The piece also programs beautifully as a concert opener or closing work, offering enough substance for a festival entry without demanding advanced technique.
What to expect
The opening unfolds like a reflection on American musical heritage, with a warmth and simplicity that invites the listener inward. The shift to march territory arrives with character and building momentum, finishing with the kind of forward-driven enthusiasm that leaves an audience smiling.
Who it's for
This piece is written for Grade 2.5 concert bands with developing musicianship and straightforward technical demands. Students benefit from material that sits comfortably in each section while still offering meaningful musical responsibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening hymn-like melody with careful dynamic control and legit phrasing; resist the urge to rush despite the piece's accessibility.
- Use the percussion interlude before the march to reset the band's energy and establish a clear pulse before instruments gradually layer in.
- Balance the bells and chimes against the euphonium solo in the first section; these parts need to shine without overpowering the band texture.
- Build the march by staggering entrances exactly as written; the gradual orchestration is the piece's structural engine and should feel inevitable, not chaotic.
How to use it
Open a concert or festival performance with The Lakes to establish both musicality and confidence before moving to heavier works, or pair it with other Sheldon pieces to showcase how accessible writing can still demand real musicianship. The piece's length (3:10) and clear sectional structure make it ideal for programs where you want contrast without jarring tonal or stylistic shifts.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing lyrical melody lines with dynamic control
- Responding to subtle sectional balance (bells, chimes, and euphonium blend)
- Layering orchestration by entering on cue with rhythmic precision
- Sustaining energy and pulse through structural shifts from hymn to march