Waltz for Band and Water Glasses (with Apologies to Johann Strauss): E-flat Alto Saxophone

Michael Story's arrangement transforms a canonical waltz into pure pedagogical comedy while keeping the iconic melody front and center. First-semester players get to perform a "real" piece of music history, and the water glass novelty element guarantees engagement, laughter, and memory that outlasts the rehearsal. It's the kind of arrangement that reminds young musicians that concert band can be joyful and playful without sacrificing musicianship.

The familiar lilt of a Strauss waltz meets vaudeville charm as water glasses clink out the beloved melody in three-four time. There's something both earnest and gleeful about hearing this Romantic classic reduced to household percussion, creating a moment of shared musical joy that feels both sophisticated and utterly silly.

This is built for first-year concert band students in their second semester, after they've developed basic reading and ensemble skills. It works equally well as a rehearsal morale booster, a concert novelty that delights audiences, or a teaching tool to introduce students to both Romantic-era masterworks and the creative possibilities of arrangement.

• Assign water glasses to students who can handle the melodic line confidently; this becomes a special section feature rather than a gimmick.
• Strike the glasses with mallets or spoons early in rehearsal so the band hears the sound before dress rehearsal creates surprises.
• Balance the water glass melody against the supporting band parts; the novelty works only if the tune remains clear and musical throughout.
• Use the piece to discuss Strauss's original orchestration and how arrangement choices affect both sound and learning outcomes.

Position this as a lighter moment in a concert that otherwise features standard concert band repertoire; it rewards the audience after a serious work and gives your ensemble a chance to show their personality. It also works beautifully at holiday programs, spring concerts, or any context where you want to celebrate how far your beginning musicians have come while keeping the energy high.

• Performing recognizable melody with stylistic clarity in waltz meter (3/4)
• Reading and performing as a section feature (water glass players)
• Balancing independent parts against a featured melodic line
• Understanding arrangement as a creative musical choice, not just transcription
• Developing ensemble precision in a piece where rhythmic coordination directly affects the comedic impact