Whispers in the Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

Whispers in the Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Whispers in the Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50859
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Op. 248

By Robert Sheldon

Grade: 1

Item: 00-50859

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$55.00

Shipped

One moment…

A very playable, gentle piece, Whispers in the Wind, by Robert Sheldon, is written for first-year bands with only one part per instrument, providing security for each section while presenting independence between parts. This allows for maximum harmonic color that promotes interesting interactions between the musicians and allows for many expressive opportunities. (2:05) Correlates to Sound Innovations, Book 1, Level 5.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Whispers in the Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Sound Innovations for Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-6666-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6666-8

UPC: 038081585277

SKU: 00-50859

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers in the wind band repertoire. His works appear on contest and concert programs across the globe, and he holds the distinction of being the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, the influential educational series from which this piece derives.

Sheldon has earned recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP for compositions that balance musical substance with pedagogical insight. His conducting engagements span North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and his music has been performed at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall Boston, Orchestra Hall Chicago, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education and wind band composition.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Sheldon writes with a first-year ensemble in mind, which means the harmonic language breathes with genuine musicality without overwhelming developing musicians. The single-part-per-instrument texture removes the anxiety of divisi while creating rich, layered sonorities that keep both players and listeners engaged. A piece this playable yet this artistically rewarding is rare at Grade 1.

What to expect

Soft and contemplative, like eavesdropping on a quiet conversation between instrumental colors. The piece unfolds with a sense of calm discovery, with voices entering and weaving around one another in patterns that feel almost conversational rather than formally structured. Listeners experience a moment of genuine repose in a concert program.

Who it's for

Beginning concert band directors leading Grade 1 ensembles, especially those using Sound Innovations Book 1. This piece is ideal for musicians in their first year of band experience who can handle melodic responsibility without the added challenge of divisi parts.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the melodic line with gentle dynamic swells rather than sudden changes; the piece's intimacy comes from sustained, floating phrasing.
Balance the parts carefully during tutti sections; even though each section has one voice, younger players often need reminding that their line is one color in a broader palette, not the focus.
Let the tempo breathe slightly during the slower passages to allow the harmonic movement to register with the audience.
Use the full two-minute runtime to build contrast between the gentle opening and any fuller sections; resist rushing early material just because it feels simple.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert when you want to establish an intimate mood and build audience connection before launching into more energetic work. It also works beautifully as a festival piece for groups preparing to contest; the short length (2:05) and low stress level let musicians focus on expression and blend rather than technical survival.