The Sleeping Place of the Stars Cover Image

The Sleeping Place of the Stars: Concert Band Conductor Score

$10.00 USD
$10.00 USD
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The Sleeping Place of the Stars Cover Image
The Sleeping Place of the Stars: Concert Band Conductor Score

The Sleeping Place of the Stars: Concert Band Conductor Score

By Ralph Ford

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-BDM04029C
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Description
Musically depicting the legend of the mysterious Shades Valley in central Alabama, this work draws its inspiration from the poem of the same name written by Ethel Armes. The percussion section sets the stage for the development of the thematic material by building on the aggressive opening musical statement. The melody builds to a glorious conclusion with a fervent end. (4:32)

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Additional Details
Series: Belwin Young Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 28
UPC: 654979073840
SKU: 00-BDM04029C

More about this title

About the Composer: Ralph Ford

Ralph Ford

Ralph Ford brings three decades of university teaching alongside a prolific career as a composer and arranger. Since 1999, he has worked exclusively with Alfred Music's Belwin division, creating over 250 titles across orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and marching band that are performed by school, university, military, and professional ensembles worldwide.

Before establishing himself as a full-time composer, Ford served fifteen years on the music faculty at Troy State University, where he taught orchestration, arranging, theory, and applied brass while directing the Jazz Ensemble. His work extends beyond the concert hall into media production, live broadcasting, and commercial composition, bringing the discipline of those industries into his educational writing.

Why we love this

Ford captures something genuinely cinematic here without resorting to cheap effects. The percussion foundation builds real tension from the opening, and the melody that emerges feels earned rather than imposed. At Grade 2, it's rare to find programmatic writing that respects both the story and the players' development.

What to expect

The piece inhabits the landscape it describes. Percussion cuts through shadow and mystery in the opening, then gradually the melody emerges like starlight breaking through clouds. By the fervent conclusion, the band has moved from atmospheric tension into something triumphant and whole.

Who it's for

Young bands ready for Grade 2 programmatic literature that connects to regional history and literary tradition. Directors seeking music that holds students' attention through narrative rather than technical flash will find a strong vehicle here.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the aggressive opening percussion against the harmonic foundation so the texture reads as purposeful rather than chaotic. This section sets the audience's expectations for the whole journey.
  • Shape the melody's ascent toward the fervent conclusion with consistent phrasing through the band rather than sudden dynamic jumps. Singers shape the line; wind bands should too.
  • Let the percussion section know they're not just keeping time during the thematic development. They're actively building the story alongside the melodic voices.
  • Rehearse the transition from aggressive opening to lyrical material deliberately. The contrast is the point, and students need to hear both characters clearly before they can execute the shift.

How to use it

Schedule this as a centerpiece for a regional concert celebrating Alabama composers or local poetry. It pairs well with folk-inspired repertoire and offers a meaningful alternative to generic Grade 2 openers. The 4:32 duration gives you flexibility in programming without eating up valuable rehearsal time for longer works.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained crescendo technique across extended passages
  • Dynamic contrast between aggressive and lyrical material
  • Harmonic awareness in younger players through programmatic listening
  • Ensemble listening and balance in multi-textural writing

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