Wings: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$55.00 USD

Wings: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Wings: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-37820
Price: 55.00 USD
Availability: InStock

From the Armed Forces Suite

By Vince Gassi

Grade: 2.5 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-37820

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The men and women of the Royal Canadian Air Force are the inspiration behind this original composition by Vince Gassi. The first work in his Armed Forces Suite, it takes off with a bright, spirited theme first heard in the flutes. The rest of the ensemble soon joins in the maneuvers and offers a fuller tactical report. Clarinets take over with dignity, providing a lyrical contrast, and are supported by a stately accompaniment. It isn't long before we start to feel the "spirit of adventure" building to a contrasting section conveying images of stealth and intrigue. Covert operations lead finally to a restatement of the opening theme by the brass with flute and clarinet obligato. Interlace with fragments from the covert section and we are carried to a soaring conclusion. If you are looking for a spirited concert opener or closer, look no further! (3:10) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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

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Series: Young Symphonic

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 254

UPC: 038081434391

SKU: 00-37820

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has published over 100 compositions since joining Alfred Music in 2006, establishing himself as a prolific voice in music education. His work balances accessibility with musical substance, earning frequent performances at major venues including the Midwest Clinic. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario and a Ph.D. from York University, with additional studies in composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music.

For more than two decades, Gassi taught instrumental music at elementary and secondary levels while developing a reputation as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across North America. His seminars on creative engagement and digital workflows for music directors reflect his commitment to both student learning and the evolution of music education practice.

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Why we love this

Wings delivers exactly what a concert band director needs at the Grade 2.5 level: a piece with real musical substance that doesn't require advanced technical demands. The writing is clear and orchestrally voiced, with distinct melodic material that gives every section something memorable to play, and the patriotic subject matter resonates without heavy-handedness. It works equally well as an opener or closer, making it a practical choice for programming flexibility throughout the season.

What to expect

Wings captures the energy and precision of flight itself, beginning with a bright dash of motion before settling into contemplative, orderly passages that suggest both discipline and grace. The music shifts fluidly between adventure and stealth, building momentum toward a confident, airborne conclusion that leaves the audience energized.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 2.5 level looking for a programmatic work that engages both players and audiences with clear thematic development and accessible technical writing. This piece serves ensembles with developing musicianship who are ready to balance multiple simultaneous melodic lines without excessive rhythmic complexity.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the flute theme at the opening so the lyrical clarinet section that follows truly reads as a contrasting moment of dignity rather than simply softer accompaniment.
Shape the covert operations section by bringing out the fragmented material gradually; let the intrigue build through texture and color before the final brass restatement arrives.
Support the soaring conclusion with steady tempo and deliberate ensemble control; the young musicians will want to rush this moment, so anchor it with the rhythm section.

How to use it

Use Wings to anchor a concert celebrating service, community heroes, or the school's own pride and tradition. Its three-minute running time makes it valuable as a confident opener that sets an accomplished tone early in the program, or as a powerful closer that sends the audience home with uplifting momentum.