White Rabbit Sheet Music Preview

White Rabbit: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

As performed by Jefferson Airplane / Arranged by Tom Wallace

Grade: 3

Item: 35-PK00380129

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Description
White Rabbit was a key piece of the culture during the 1969 "summer of love," and like the song, this arrangement captures the mystical, cosmic feeling of the day. Magical sounds emanate from the percussion ensemble and lead to an ethereal statement of the melody, slowly building to an anticipated climax. The percussion ensemble is spotlighted in an extended feature, revealing clever and creative percussion writing. A seamless segue leads to a intense recap of the material and concludes with a scintillating ending.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00380129

More about this title

About the Artist: Jefferson Airplane

Jefferson Airplane emerged from San Francisco in the mid-1960s as one of the defining bands of the psychedelic rock era. Their 1967 album "Crown of Creation" and subsequent work established them as pioneers of a distinctive sound that blended rock instrumentation with experimental studio techniques and socially conscious lyrics. The band's influence on popular music and countercultural expression made them essential figures in understanding how rock music evolved beyond its commercial origins.

Why we love this

This arrangement transforms a 1960s rock staple into a sophisticated ensemble experience that respects both the original's psychedelic DNA and marching arts conventions. The extended percussion feature gives your rhythm section genuine musical weight rather than relegating them to timekeeping, while the grade 3 accessibility means your full band can execute Wallace's arrangement without simplification that compromises the arrangement's distinctive character.

What to expect

Swirling and otherworldly at first, with percussion colors creating an almost hallucinogenic soundscape beneath a floating melody. The energy gradually crystallizes from dreamy and diffuse into something propulsive and focused, culminating in a final flourish that feels both celebratory and transcendent.

Who it's for

Directors programming pop and rock repertoire for bands at the intermediate level will find a substantial arrangement that avoids novelty territory. This works equally well for groups seeking to expand beyond standard concert band literature and for educators wanting to connect with student musicians through music they recognize.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the ethereal opening between percussion texture and wind melodic statement; the haunting quality depends on restraint in the early section before the buildup accelerates.
  • Treat the percussion feature as a complete musical statement rather than an interlude, giving those players time to establish groove and showcasing the thoughtful writing that distinguishes this arrangement.
  • Shape the climactic recap with clear dynamic architecture, resisting the urge to play at full volume throughout so the scintillating final moments land with proper impact.
  • Lock the transition into the intense recap section so the momentum carries forward without stumbling; this pivot point determines whether the piece feels inevitable or abrupt.

How to use it

Consider this for a spring concert exploring 1960s and 1970s music that shaped contemporary culture, positioned where its stylistic contrast highlights your classical selections rather than competes with them. The accessible grade level also makes it viable for a festival or invitational where you want modern repertoire that demonstrates solid ensemble musicianship without extensive rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining ethereal dynamic control across long passages
  • Executing rock-influenced rhythmic grooves with precision
  • Responding to non-traditional melodic phrasing rooted in popular music
  • Balancing ensemble texture in contemporary arrangements
  • Building climactic tension through layered musical development

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