To Gently Serenade: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Richard L. Saucedo
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK01453913
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Description
Dedicated to legendary educator and conductor, Dr. Paula Crider, this dramatic work explores a variety of emotions and musical styles, honoring the heart and soul of the amazing PC! A wistful and tender opening features brief solos and poignant harmonies. The piece then builds gradually to a majestic climax before returning to the gentler strains from the opening. A welcome addition to the repertoire. (This publication includes an optional "DroneMap" rehearsal aid created by Michael Pote) Dur: ca. 4:15
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01453913
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard L. Saucedo
Richard L. Saucedo shaped the Carmel High School bands program over 31 years into a national powerhouse, earning state and national recognition across concert, jazz, and marching ensembles. His Wind Symphony I appeared three times at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival and captured the Indiana State Championship in 2013. The Carmel Marching Greyhounds dominated the Bands of America Grand National Championship landscape for 17 years, claiming national titles in 2005 and 2012, and that same year Carmel achieved the remarkable distinction of winning a BOA National Championship while also performing at the Midwest Clinic.
Saucedo received Indiana's "Bandmaster of the Year" honor in 1998-99 and "Outstanding Music Educator" recognition in 2010. He was inducted into the Music for All Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2022, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association. Beyond his teaching legacy, Saucedo works as a freelance arranger and composer for marching bands, concert bands, choral ensembles, and orchestras. He currently serves as music ensemble coordinator for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, previously contributed five DCI world championships as the Cavaliers' Brass Arranger/Composer, and holds a senior consultant role with Music for All and Bands of America.
Why we love this
Saucedo crafts a structure that rewards ensemble musicians with distinct personality shifts, moving from introspective solo work into climactic, full-voiced writing that feels genuinely earned. The optional DroneMap rehearsal aid removes guesswork from balance and intonation during those vulnerable opening passages. Band directors appreciate works that honor a specific person without becoming overly sentimental, and this piece strikes that balance with musical substance.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a conversation that begins softly and privately, pulling listeners into tender moments before swelling into something grand and affirming. The return to the opening's gentle character feels like a homecoming, reflective and complete.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level seeking repertoire that balances technical accessibility with emotional depth. This work suits ensembles ready to explore dynamic contrast, solo writing, and ensemble cohesion without extreme technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening solos with enough space and air around them. These brief statements establish the emotional tone, so resist the urge to push tempo or volume.
- Bring individual voices forward during the wistful opening harmonies. Encourage players to hear themselves as part of a conversation rather than background support.
- Build the gradual ascent to the climax with incremental dynamics and color shifts rather than sudden jumps. Mark the score with rehearsal reference points so the band perceives the journey as organic.
- Use the DroneMap rehearsal aid to clarify tuning in the opening section, which relies on poignant harmonies to land emotionally. Spend time anchoring the harmonic center before adding musical expression.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert built around thematic programming (emotion, growth, or musical storytelling). Its four-minute-plus length and emotional arc suit a mid-concert slot where the band has warmed up and the audience is attentive. Works equally well in spring concerts or as a tribute to administrators, mentors, or community members who've shaped your program.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing solo lines with accompaniment textures
- Shaping phrase architecture across a multi-section form
- Managing dynamic range from intimate to climactic
- Sustaining tone quality during sustained harmonic passages
- Responding to conductor interpretation across contrasting musical sections