The Planets: Score
By Gustav Holst / arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PR-0007356
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Description
Gustav Holst has long been revered as a master composer. His work transcribes wonderfully for concert band. Douglas Wagner has chosen portions of The Planets to create a through-played medley for young band in FLEX format. The arrangement contains the themes from "Venus, the Bringer of Peace"; "Mars, the Bringer of War"; and "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity." The best of Holst arranged especially for your young band. (4:00)
Percussion Accompaniment Track Downloads:
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Percussion Accompaniment Track Downloads:
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without click
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Planets: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007356
More about this title
About the Composer: Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst (1874-1934) stands as one of the twentieth century's most inventive orchestral composers. His mastery of instrumental color and harmonic language shaped the sound of modern concert music, and his willingness to draw from diverse musical traditions—folk song, modal writing, Eastern scales—gave his work both accessibility and sophistication.
Why we love this
Douglas Wagner's arrangement strips The Planets down to its most iconic moments, giving Grade 2 ensembles access to genuine masterwork material without overwhelming the ensemble or the rehearsal schedule. The flexible format means you aren't locked into specific instrumentation, and the contrasting moods across the three movements keep students engaged while building real interpretive skills.
What to expect
You move from the serene, floating world of Venus into the sharp, driving energy of Mars, then land in jubilant celebration with Jupiter. The through-played structure creates a journey, and the contrast between movements gives students real dynamic and textural variety to explore.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands and flexible ensembles ready to tackle recognizable, substantial repertoire. This arrangement works for young musicians who have enough foundational technique to sustain longer phrases and navigate key changes, but still need material that feels achievable.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic material across sections carefully in Venus. The peace and restraint of this movement hinges on transparency; keep accompaniment figures subdued so the primary theme breathes.
- Attack Mars with clarity and rhythmic precision. Young players often rush militaristic music, so lock in the pulse with the percussion accompaniment track during rehearsal.
- Let Jupiter's jollity breathe. This is the moment for character and lift; encourage the band to lean into the dance quality without sacrificing ensemble togetherness.
How to use it
This makes an excellent centerpiece for a winter or spring concert, especially if you want to showcase your ensemble's progress without relying on pop arrangements or novelties. It also works as a festival or contest selection where judges recognize the legitimacy of Holst's harmonic and melodic writing.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone and phrasing in legato writing (Venus)
- Rhythmic precision and ensemble control in marcato passages (Mars)
- Dynamic contrast and character interpretation across contrasting sections
- Balancing melody and accompaniment in flexible instrumentation