The Spirit Within: Score
By Les Taylor
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-DB1108S
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Description
A moving chorale introduces this work that quickly explodes into a lively exchange between the different wind choirs and sectional voices. A good timpanist is required in the transition section that features the percussion and winds in a heated exchange. (5:20)
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1108S
More about this title
Why we love this
The Spirit Within balances accessibility with genuine musical substance. Les Taylor writes for young bands with real respect for what they can achieve, and this piece proves that Grade 2.5 ensembles don't need dumbed-down arrangements to sound impressive. The sectional writing gives every wind choir a moment to shine, and the percussion transition is the kind of passage that gets students genuinely excited about what their parts can do.
What to expect
The piece opens with quiet reverence, then ignites. What begins as a meditative chorale transforms into something energetic and dialogue-driven, with different sections of the band passing musical ideas back and forth. The percussion transition crackles with tension and forward motion, making the five-minute arc feel earned rather than formulaic.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for Grade 2.5 concert bands that want to program something with structural sophistication and emotional depth without overwhelming less experienced readers. It suits groups preparing for festival or contest settings, where the work's clear architecture and exciting climaxes make a strong impression within a controlled timeframe.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening chorale with consistent phrase breathing across all sections; treat it as the emotional anchor that everything else grows from.
- Highlight the exchanges between wind choirs in the fast section by clarifying articulation within each group and keeping inner voices transparent so the dialogue registers.
- Prepare your timpani player for the transition passage well in advance; this is where the piece demands real rhythmic confidence and dynamic control from percussion.
- Balance the energy between the "lively exchange" sections and the chorale framework; the contrast only works if both feel intentional rather than accidental.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a band concert where you want to show growth and range; the chorale opening appeals to community audiences while the fast section demonstrates your ensemble's musicianship and technical control. It fits naturally in festival or contest rotation, where its length and grade level make it strategic without sacrificing musical substance.
Skills your students will build
- Sectional independence and voice leading in multi-choir wind writing
- Dynamic contrast between sustained chorale textures and active rhythmic passage work
- Rhythmic precision during the percussion and wind exchange
- Balance and blend within wind choirs during rapid sectional dialogue
- Phrase shaping and breathing coordination across full ensemble