Wings of Apollo: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$49.00 USD

Wings of Apollo: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Wings of Apollo: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-44973
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Vince Gassi

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-44973

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One moment…

NASA's Apollo program is known for landing the first humans on the moon in 1969. In this composition, your dauntless adventure begins with a powerful lift off. Once achieved, the main theme is presented by flutes, oboe, and then trumpets, with stabilizers provided by baritone, tenor sax, and eventually the remainder of the crew. Stage 1 boosters (a strong, rhythmic accompaniment) provide the propulsion needed to voyage through to a sea of tranquility (lyrical section). From there we journey to an adventurous transition and a final re-entry of the main theme. (2:35) 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 of Apollo: 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: Challenger Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 120

UPC: 038081517575

SKU: 00-44973

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has been publishing music with Alfred since 2006 and has established himself as one of the most prolific composers for young bands, with more than 100 titles in print. His approach to composition balances accessibility with genuine musicality, making his pieces equally effective in the concert hall and the contest adjudication room. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario, studied composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, and earned his Ph.D. from York University in Toronto.

For a quarter century, Gassi has taught instrumental music in elementary and secondary schools while maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States and Canada. His workshops on creative engagement and digital workflow management have become staples at major music education conferences. His commissions and arrangements have been performed and recorded across North America, Europe, and Japan, with frequent performances at prestigious venues including the Midwest Clinic.

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Why we love this

Wings of Apollo delivers a fully realized narrative arc that works equally well as a concert opener and a festival selection without sacrificing either context. The clever instrumentation moves and the balance between accessible rhythmic propulsion and genuinely lyrical writing give every section of the band something meaningful to do, which keeps young musicians engaged throughout.

What to expect

Wings of Apollo captures the drama and wonder of space exploration through music that moves from the concrete power of mechanical thrust to moments of quiet awe. The journey unfolds with clarity and purpose, building tension and release in ways that feel natural rather than forced, leaving audiences energized by the final return.

Who it's for

This piece works perfectly for young concert bands at the 1.5 grade level who need substantial but not overwhelming material for festivals or community concerts. Directors seeking programmatic music that engages students through storytelling without technical excess will find this especially useful.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening lift-off section with gradual dynamic growth and clarity of articulation in the accompaniment voices; this sets up the structural journey and establishes the programmatic intent immediately.
Bring out the main theme as it passes from flutes to oboe to trumpets by adjusting the overall band balance rather than just turning up the lead voice; this keeps the texture clean and the theme audible.
Find contrast between the rhythmic Stage 1 boosters section and the Sea of Tranquility by adjusting vibrato intensity and phrase breathing in the lower voices; the lyrical section needs air to breathe.
Use the final re-entry as an opportunity to build cumulative energy; bring in layers of the band gradually rather than hitting the full sound all at once.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener to establish energy and narrative focus from the start, or use it as a bridge between a classical opening number and more contemporary selections. The two-and-a-half-minute length makes it ideal for festival contests where pacing variety strengthens your overall presentation.

Skills your students will build

Sustained tone quality across dynamic changes and lyrical passages
Balance and blend when a melody moves between instrumental families
Rhythmic precision in repetitive accompaniment figures without losing musicality
Phrase shaping in both march-like and lyrical contexts
Listening for and responding to structural signposts within a programmatic narrative