The Raven: Score
By Michael Story
Level:.5
Item: 00-PR-0007647
$10.00
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Description
Edgar Allan Poe's most famous poem is the basis for this original piece by Michael Story. Written for students at the end of their first year in band, The Raven, with its haunting melody and colorful scoring, evokes the sense of sadness and loss that pervades Poe's timeless work. This unique piece would be a welcome addition to any beginning band library. (1:50)
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Very Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007647
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose works span concert band, jazz band, and orchestral literature. He has built a reputation for creating accessible yet musically substantial pieces that engage young musicians while maintaining artistic integrity. Story's ability to write idiomatically for developing ensembles has made his compositions staples in beginning and intermediate band programs across the country.
Why we love this
Story captures the gothic atmosphere of Poe's narrative in a piece that actually sounds composed rather than didactic. The haunting melody is memorable enough that students will want to practice it, and the orchestration gives every section a moment to shine without demanding virtuosity. For a first-year band, this offers genuine artistic substance at an appropriate technical level.
What to expect
Shadowy and introspective, with a melody that suggests yearning rather than cheerfulness. The colorful scoring creates an unsettling beauty that younger players will recognize as different from typical first-year repertoire, inviting them to listen more carefully and play with greater intention.
Who it's for
Beginning band directors seeking repertoire that balances accessibility with artistic credibility. This works for first-year students who need technically straightforward material that still engages the ear and the imagination, making it suitable for both festival performance and concert programming.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with careful attention to phrasing rather than playing it mechanically. Even young musicians can understand that a haunting idea needs breath and intentional dynamics.
- Balance the inner voices during the harmonic sections. Beginning band students often play everything at full volume; this piece requires them to listen across the ensemble and support the melodic line.
- Use the 1:50 duration strategically in rehearsal. The modest length makes it easy to run multiple complete passes, which builds confidence and allows you to refine interpretation without fatiguing the group.
- Establish a steady, slightly deliberate tempo that gives the piece room to breathe. Rushing will undermine the sorrowful mood that makes this arrangement distinctive.
How to use it
Program this alongside other narrative or descriptive pieces to create a thematic concert segment. Its brief length and programmatic title make it an engaging entry point to concert band literature for audiences, and students will connect the music to Poe's poetry if you provide brief context during the concert.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality and intonation
- Balancing melody and harmony across the ensemble
- Responding to dynamic markings that shape phrase architecture
- Connecting musical content to narrative and mood
- Executing longer passages without technical fumbles