Tripwire: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2
By JaRod Hall
Grade: 2
Item: 98-PC-DB1809_AX2
$7.00
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Description
A spy attempts to infiltrate the defenses of an arch-enemy. Take caution though, for every step can trigger an alarm because tripwires are everywhere! This clever work is unlike anything out there and offers some extraordinary colors. From the sneaky sound of the beginning melody to the loud and raucous rips that follow later in the work, this is an incredible change of pace for any concert! (3:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Tripwire: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2 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:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1809_AX2
More about this title
About the Composer: JaRod Hall
JaRod Hall brings both composition and conducting expertise to his work with young bands. Born in 1991, he earned degrees in music education from the University of North Texas and Texas State University, studying conducting with Dr. Nicholas Williams and Dr. Caroline Beatty. As a tubist and trombonist, he performed with the North Texas Wind Symphony and earned four selections to the Texas All-State Band, including principal tuba and first-chair jazz bass trombone.
Hall spent eight years directing band, during which his ensembles earned consistent sweepstakes recognition at Texas UIL evaluations. His 2018 non-varsity band at Griffin Middle School became the first in Frisco ISD history to receive the Citation of Excellence, honoring the state's top two non-varsity programs. His original compositions have appeared on the Texas Prescribed Music List, J.W. Pepper's Editor's Choice list, and Bandworld's Top 100, with works including the 2021 Barbara Buehlman Prize winner for middle school band.
Why we love this
Tripwire delivers genuine storytelling through music that middle school students find immediately engaging. The programmatic arc from stealthy opening to explosive climax gives young players a clear dramatic objective, making sectional rehearsals feel purposeful rather than mechanical. At Grade 2, Hall writes idiomatically for developing bands without sacrificing compositional sophistication or contest-festival appeal.
What to expect
Tripwire opens with a cat-like precision; quiet, deliberate, almost holding its breath as if moving through a darkened space. Then the alarm sounds, and the music erupts into chaotic energy, delivering the kind of high-impact contrast that makes audiences sit up and pay attention.
Who it's for
This piece works perfectly for middle school concert bands preparing for festival or contest. The clear dramatic narrative appeals to developing musicians who benefit from a concrete musical story, while the Grade 2 level keeps technical demands manageable and allows focus on musicianship and expression.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening melody with restraint; the sneaky character depends on players resisting the urge to push tempo or volume during the infiltration section.
- Lock the articulation style across all woodwind sections during the beginning so the espionage theme stays unified and mysterious.
- Build the transition to the raucous climax gradually across multiple phrases rather than jumping to full volume; this magnifies the dramatic payoff.
- Balance the percussion parts carefully, especially any alarm-like effects, so they accentuate the dramatic moment without overshadowing the ensemble.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece that provides a complete tonal and dramatic departure from traditional repertoire. Its three-minute duration and programmatic appeal make it ideal for a mid-concert reset before moving into a contrasting piece, or as a festival-specific selection that demonstrates your band's range and engagement.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining soft dynamic control while maintaining pitch stability
- Rapid transitions from pp to fff while keeping ensemble cohesion
- Responding to dramatic structural changes within a short timeframe
- Articulation clarity and style consistency across sectional parts
- Listening for balance and blend during moments of textural density