Workforce: Mallets

Bernotas captures the collective energy of a working band perfectly here. The piece demands genuine cooperation across all sections, making the ensemble success tangible and rewarding for students who can hear exactly how their part contributes to the whole. The balance between an infectious rhythmic groove and a genuine lyrical moment gives you programming flexibility and keeps players invested from rehearsal one.

Workforce opens with infectious rhythmic momentum that pulls the band together like gears engaging. The energy feels modern and purposeful, celebrating the idea that every musician in the section matters. When the lyrical section arrives, the contrast is genuine and moving, creating a moment where students can hear the depth beneath the groove.

Band directors programming Grade 3 concert literature who need a piece that engages the entire ensemble and builds a sense of shared purpose. It works equally well as a strong concert selection or festival entry, appealing to students who respond to contemporary grooves and ensemble collaboration.

• Lock the rhythm section (percussion and low reeds) first; once that groove is solid, the energy cascades naturally through the rest of the band.
• Shape the lyric section with phrasing that breathes; resist the urge to drive through it. Let the students hear the contrast between the high-energy opening and this more introspective moment.
• Balance the upper woodwinds against the brass in the tutti passages. The piece works only when all voices are heard in the mix.
• Conduct the rhythmic figures clearly in the opening section so students can lock in together; precision here makes the ensemble sound unified and powerful.

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert celebrating ensemble work and contemporary voices in band literature. Its uplifting character makes it ideal for spring concerts, and the strong rhythmic profile appeals to younger band members while offering enough musical substance to satisfy more experienced players. At just under five minutes, it pairs well alongside classic concert repertoire or lighter novelty pieces.

• Ensemble balance across full band texture
• Locking rhythmic figures as a cohesive unit
• Contrasting articulation styles (groove-based versus legato phrasing)
• Listening to and supporting other sections in real time
• Dynamic control across sustained lyrical passages