Volatus: Bassoon
By Brian Beck
Grade: 3.5 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0017468_B1
$3.00
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Description
From the Latin word for flight, "Volatus" captures the art of soaring above the clouds. The higher one climbs, the more there is to see. Lift-off begins with stately brass motives and sparkling percussion, then it is up, up, and away with woodwind flourishes. With angular harmonies, driving rhythms in mixed meters, and static percussive effects, this piece has something for everyone to enjoy. (2:40)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Volatus: Bassoon 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:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
312
SKU:
00-PC-0017468_B1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Beck
Brian Beck is a composer and arranger whose works appear regularly on state honor band programs, UIL prescribed lists, and festival circuits across the Southwest and Midwest. His compositions have been recognized with "Reviewer's Choice" honors from The Instrumentalist and J. W. Pepper, and featured in the GIA Publications series Teaching Music Through Performance In Band. His experience directing bands at both middle and high school levels informs his writing for young ensembles.
Beck holds degrees in music education from Texas A&M University-Commerce and the University of Houston. During his tenure at Byrd Middle School in Duncanville, Texas, he was nominated for Teacher of the Year (2008-09), and the high school wind ensemble under his direction earned the Texas State Honor Band designation three times. His former students and ensembles continue to earn superior ratings and top awards at UIL and invitational competitions.
Why we love this
Volatus rewards both conductor and ensemble with a well-paced arc that builds genuine excitement without overreaching technically. The writing balances accessible voicing with real harmonic interest; mixed meters and percussive color create sophistication at a grade 3.5 level that feels earned rather than imposed. It programs beautifully alongside standard concert fare and provides a natural showcase moment for any mid-level band.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like an actual journey skyward. It opens with weighty, grounded brass statements, then accelerates into a buoyant climb where the woodwinds dance above driving rhythms and splashes of percussion. Angular harmonies and shifting meters keep the ear engaged, creating momentum that feels both propulsive and deliberate.
Who it's for
Medium-level concert bands looking for contemporary repertoire with structure and substance. Volatus works for groups comfortable with mixed meters and looking to program something that feels fresh without requiring advanced technical chops.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening brass motives with clear articulation and support from the rest of the ensemble; these establish the character that propels the entire piece forward.
- Let the percussion sparkle in the lift-off section without overwhelming the woodwind flourishes that weave through it; balance is key to maintaining clarity in the busier passages.
- Nail the metric shifts by having your section leaders (woodwinds, brass, percussion) feel the underlying pulse during mixed-meter sections, then lock in as a full ensemble rather than stopping to count.
- Use the angular harmonies to your advantage by encouraging players to listen across sections; when harmonic edges feel intentional rather than accidental, the piece gains sophistication.
How to use it
Open a concert or festival set with this piece to set an energetic tone, or pair it with lyrical work to showcase your band's range. Its sub-three-minute length makes it ideal for festival competition formats where you need impact without exhausting the ensemble.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing mixed meters with confidence
- Balancing textural layers (sustained harmonic elements against rhythmic motion)
- Responding to angular harmonic language and static percussive effects
- Ensemble rhythmic synchronization across changing metric schemes
- Articulation clarity and phrasing in fast-moving brass and woodwind passages