Whirlwind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Curnow builds real musical interest at Grade 1 by contrasting sections rather than relying on repetition alone. The piece gives your entire band something to do (not just the melody players), and that moment of stillness before the final push creates genuine drama that audiences feel.

Energy in motion. The music tumbles forward with purpose, pulling listeners into its current before stepping back into unexpected quiet. When that whirlwind returns, the contrast makes the final rush feel earned and exhilarating.

Beginning and early intermediate concert bands that need accessible music with genuine compositional substance. Your students will feel like they're playing a real piece, not an exercise, and your audience will hear the difference.

• Shape the melodic phrases with subtle dynamic swells rather than playing straight through; young players respond well to this direction and it keeps energy from feeling artificial.
• Isolate the rhythmic figures in the middle sections during sectionals so each part understands its role in building momentum, not just playing notes.
• Let the calm section breathe. This is where contrast does its work, so resist the urge to rush back into tempo right away.
• Balance the forward motion with clarity. The piece moves fast, but every voice should remain distinct.

Open a concert with this piece to set an immediate tone of vitality, or place it as the first half of a contrasting pair with something reflective. At just under two minutes, it works perfectly as a standalone opener that gives your younger players a confident start to the evening.

• Phrasing and dynamic shaping at a foundational level
• Rhythmic precision in fast-moving passages
• Part independence within a Grade 1 ensemble texture
• Musical contrast and the use of silence as a compositional tool
• Sustaining energy and focus through brief but demanding sections