The Mountain Troll: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Imagine a creature lumbering onto stage with the best intentions, then immediately tripping over its own feet. The piece has warmth beneath the comedy; you're not laughing at the troll so much as laughing with it as it heroically attempts coordination it simply does not possess. The musical writing captures that endearing clumsiness.

Bands seeking repertoire that entertains audiences without condescending to players. Grade 1.5 groups can handle the technical demands while developing their ability to execute controlled character playing. Directors building concerts that showcase musicianship and humor in equal measure will find this piece earns its runtime.

• Establish a steady tempo before the troll dance begins, then let the intentional rhythmic confusion land by keeping the accompaniment locked while the featured lines stumble.
• Rehearse the troll's uncoordinated sections separately by section, then add them to the ensemble; clarity here makes the comedy work.
• Balance volume carefully so the troll's rhythmic missteps read as bumbling rather than sloppy ensemble playing.
• Use dynamics to telegraph the troll's confusion; sudden soft spots and unexpected accents can enhance the physical comedy.

Program this as a standalone novelty between heavier works to reset audience energy mid-concert, or pair it with other character pieces that explore humor through specific orchestration choices. The 3:40 length makes it ideal for a pops or family concert that needs strong contrast with standard concert band fare.

• Executing rhythmic precision in ensemble while performing intentionally awkward melodic lines
• Balancing parts so character writing reads clearly without sacrificing blend
• Responding to stylistic cues that require restraint and exaggeration simultaneously
• Reading conductor cues that manage rhythmic independence across the band