The Ringmaster: Oboe
By Jon Bubbett
Grade: 4
Item: 00-PC-0019315_O1
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Description
The Ringmaster, by Jon Bubbett, is a spirited, fun-loving march written in the circus style of those composed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its happy and carefree energy brings back memories of three-ring circuses, trapeze artists, and clowns. As the Master of Ceremonies, the ringmaster was decked out in a bright red tailcoat trimmed in gold and a black top hat. Their job was to direct the audience's attention to the various rings where the acts took place, sometimes interact with the clowns, and build excitement for the next act. The Ringmaster reminds us of the frenetic energy of the circus, meant for "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages!" (2:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Ringmaster: Oboe 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 Symphonic Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019315_O1
More about this title
About the Composer: Jon Bubbett
Jon Bubbett is a composer and retired band director from Alabama who taught for 38 years, with 26 of those years spent at Thompson High School in Alabaster. His contributions to music education earned him six NBA Citations of Excellence and the Phi Beta Mu 2015 Bandmaster of the Year Award.
Beyond the classroom, Bubbett has remained deeply engaged in the profession as a clinician, adjudicator, and published composer. He has guest-lectured and adjudicated across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, served on panels for major conferences including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and published works through numerous publishers including Belwin, Make Music, and Wingert-Jones. He currently conducts the Celebration Winds Community Concert Band and holds memberships in ASCAP, the National Band Association, and several music education organizations.
Why we love this
Bubbett captures the theatrical showmanship of the classic American march without requiring technical heroics from your ensemble. The piece lives in that sweet spot where Grade 4 players can genuinely perform it with style and confidence, making it equally rewarding for festival adjudication and concert programming.
What to expect
The Ringmaster swings with the unbridled exuberance of a three-ring spectacle. You hear the brass announcing a new act, the percussion cracking with precision like a ringmaster's whip, and the whole ensemble moving with the loose-but-controlled energy of performers who know how to command a room and delight a crowd.
Who it's for
Grade 4 concert bands preparing for festival competition or looking to program a crowd-pleasing concert opener. Directors seeking approachable repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicality or fun will find this march both accessible and genuinely entertaining for audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the articulation crisp and separated in the marcato passages to replicate the snappy energy of a ringmaster's commands and the urgency of circus action.
- Balance the melodic lines between sections so the principal voice carries clearly above the harmonic support, much as a ringmaster's voice would cut through the hubbub of three rings.
- Invest in dynamic contrast between the spirited tutti sections and any softer interludes to enhance the narrative arc and maintain audience engagement throughout the 2:30 runtime.
- Lock the tempo with the percussion section early in rehearsal; consistent pulse is essential to the piece's frenetic energy and comedic timing.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to set a lively tone and capture audience attention immediately. It pairs well alongside character pieces or lighter fare and provides a natural contrast to a more substantial work later in the set.
Skills your students will build
- Balanced articulation in march style (separated, marcato, and flowing passages)
- Dynamic control and sectional balance
- Rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization
- Musical storytelling through phrasing and intensity