The Spirit of Thanksgiving: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$49.00 USD

The Spirit of Thanksgiving: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: The Spirit of Thanksgiving: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-41910
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Featuring: We Gather Together / Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Arr. Robert Sheldon

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-41910

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Two of the most popular Thanksgiving hymns are set for young band in this heartfelt setting. Contemporary harmonic structures are carefully woven into the fabric of these beautiful melodies in celebration of this uniquely American holiday. (2:45) "The Spirit of Thanksgiving" correlates to Book 2, Level 2 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Spirit of Thanksgiving: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Sound Innovations for Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 134

UPC: 038081482330

SKU: 00-41910

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers in wind band repertoire today. His works appear regularly on state and national contest lists, have been performed internationally from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and consistently earn recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP. Beyond his prolific output as a composer, Sheldon serves as the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, a comprehensive series widely adopted in school music programs.

Known for bringing accessibility and musical depth to young ensembles, Sheldon maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor for honor bands, clinician at universities and state conferences, and frequent commission recipient. His international conducting experience spans Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, and China. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his sustained contributions to music education.

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Why we love this

Sheldon's gift for honoring traditional melodies while infusing them with contemporary harmonic color makes this arrangement feel fresh without overwhelming young players. The integration with Sound Innovations curriculum means your ensemble can program this confidently at a Grade 1.5 level while still delivering the musical substance and emotional impact your audience expects from a Thanksgiving concert.

What to expect

Reverent yet accessible, this setting captures the warmth of familiar Thanksgiving hymns while surrounding them with thoughtful harmonic support that feels contemporary rather than dated. The 2:45 duration allows for genuine musical development without overstaying its welcome, and young players experience the satisfaction of bringing real expressive weight to traditional material.

Who it's for

Young concert bands at the Grade 1.5 level will find this arrangement musically rewarding without technical overreach. It works especially well for ensembles already using Sound Innovations, as the correlations to Book 2, Level 2 allow you to reinforce skills your students are actively developing in method book study.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody across sections carefully; young bands often push the lead voice too hard. Let the harmony parts support rather than compete.
Work the contemporary harmonic structures one section at a time. Identify where Sheldon has colored familiar progressions unexpectedly and rehearse those sonorities in isolation before combining parts.
Shape the phrasing around the hymn tunes themselves. These melodies have natural breath points; honor them even when surrounded by fuller accompaniment figures.

How to use it

Program this as the emotional centerpiece of a fall concert, pairing it with upbeat selections before and after to frame its reflective character. The Thanksgiving holiday connection makes it perfect for November performances, and its Grade 1.5 accessibility means even younger ensembles in a combined concert setting can participate in a meaningful way.

Skills your students will build

Balancing melodic and harmonic lines in contemporary harmonic contexts
Phrasing and shaping based on hymn tune structure
Interpreting harmonic color and expressive intent within accessible range
Reading and performing parts that align with Sound Innovations Book 2 curriculum