Concert Openers for Concert Band

Composed as a tribute to legendary racehorse and 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, this work for mature ensembles captures the excitement and pageantry of race day at the track. Rhythmically dynamic from

Adapted from the Mannheim Steamroller CD A Fresh Aire Christmas, this is actually two publications in one. First is a glorious fanfare in the High Renaissance tradition of antiphonal brass choirs

Written for the Kuching Wind Symphony in Malaysia, this high-energy piece is a tribute to the work of music educators around the globe. The dynamic opening fanfare section features bold brass statements, a

Ignite your performance by opening with this spectacular burst of musical energy! A resplendent feature spot for the entire percussion section, this piece uses a single tempo throughout along with

Featuring an exuberant and joyful mood throughout, layers of rhythms and melodies are woven together with dynamic contrasts and impact points. Celebrating an optimistic outlook for the future, this concise

While noted as one of the greatest of film composers, John Williams also has a special relationship with the United States Marine Band. This work, described as a "curtain raiser," was composed in honor of

With nothing faster than a quarter note (eighth notes in percussion), this terrific piece for first-year players features a noble and stately style with enough variety in scoring to provide a rewarding

Gloriana, commissioned by Furman University for the inauguration of its 12th president, is based on The Faerie Queene, an incomplete English epic poem written by Edmund Spenser and

James Newton Howard composed this dynamic fanfare for the closing segment of the 1993 movie "Grand Canyon." The film is now largely forgotten; however, the music remains a vibrant and powerful statement and

Originally composed for Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Band's acclaimed trumpet ensemble, Paul Murtha's dramatic fanfare

This powerful fanfare packs plenty of excitement and drama in a short amount of time. A spirited 12/8 pulse drives the work forward with sudden bursts of striking harmonic twists contributing to the

The emphatic driving pulse that occurs throughout as well as the powerful percussion writing and dramatic impact points of the original are all contained in this flexible instrumentation adaptation. The

This exciting composition packs plenty of drama and intensity in less than two minutes!  Featuring active percussion writing, powerful brass statements, and woodwind flourishes, this is a perfect

Named for the North Star sailors relied on to guide the course of a ship, this two-minute fanfare for mature players is an exciting way to open any concert. Colorful harmonies and antiphonal passages for

Utilizing an array of sparkling brass figures contrasted with brief lyrical passages and dynamic shifts in texture, this work is equally effective as a concert opener or for use in any celebratory event.

This beautiful work was inspired by the magnificent and expansive prairie landscape - and its cloudscape. The sky is constantly changing, and its many moods reflect on the land below to create a sense of

Designed as an extended fanfare, this piece quickly builds in intensity with each subsequent phrase. Opening with the percussion in a stately style, the main theme is first heard in a chorale-like setting