The Strait of Messina: Score
By Roland Barrett
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PR-0007542
$12.00
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Description
Taking its name from the narrow and treacherous channel separating Sicily from the Italian mainland, The Strait of Messina, by Roland Barrett, features bold melodic statements and powerful rhythmic movement. A short lyrical middle section provides excellent contrast and sets the stage perfectly for the furious closing statements. Excellent teaching and performing opportunities! (3:50)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Strait of Messina: Score 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 Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007542
More about this title
About the Composer: Roland Barrett
Roland Barrett has shaped generations of young musicians through his dual roles as composer and educator. Since joining the University of Oklahoma's faculty in 2001, he has taught music theory and composition while continuing to arrange for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band, bringing practical experience from the field directly into the classroom.
With over two hundred published works across symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching band, Barrett has earned recognition from the ASCAPlus organization multiple times over. His compositions appear regularly on All-State and All-Region programs, and his work has been performed by the Dallas Wind Symphony and featured on NPR and national conventions dedicated to wind music and trumpet performance.
Why we love this
Barrett's knack for balancing accessibility with musical substance shows throughout this score. A Grade 2 band gets genuine compositional craft here: clear formal architecture, meaningful contrast between sections, and enough rhythmic energy to keep young players engaged without overwhelming them.
What to expect
The piece captures the raw power and danger of a narrow strait where two bodies of water collide. A turbulent opening yields to a quiet, reflective moment before the energy returns with renewed force, mirroring the shifting moods of this storied passage.
Who it's for
This work suits Grade 2 bands that have solid fundamentals and are ready for concert repertoire with real programmatic intent. It works equally well for festival entries, concert programming, or teaching moments where you want students to connect musical structure to extra-musical imagery.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the bold melodic statements in the opening section with clear phrasing; avoid letting the power flatten into monotone by varying dynamic shaping within phrases.
- Bring out the lyrical middle section as a genuine change of mood and tempo; this contrast only works if the ensemble understands the shift from the driving opening.
- Balance articulation choices in the closing material so rhythmic precision doesn't overshadow the forward momentum Barrett is building toward the finish.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert focused on American band composers, or pair it with other programmatic works to show students how concert band music can tell stories. At just under four minutes, it fits naturally into a mixed program without dominating the rehearsal schedule.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing dynamic contrast within sections
- Maintaining rhythmic precision during fast, driving passages
- Balancing ensemble blend while executing independent melodic lines
- Responding to tempo and mood changes as a unified group