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In his American Song Settings, No. 1, Joseph Kreines has created a delightful theme and variations on the well-known traditional melody, “Billy Boy.” Every instrument in the band has the melody at some point in this outstanding arrangement done in a distinctly early 20th century British style, providing opportunities for young players to play in 4/4, 3/4 and 2/4 time.

High on the list of rock bands loved by fans and reviled by critics, here’s a straight-forward Michael Story arrangement of Journey’s 'Any Way You Want It'.

Summer is over and autumn is the lovely season that precedes the harsh winter to come. Autumn Colors is set in a natural minor tonality and features flowing melodic lines from all the winds. This lyrical ballad portrays the warm feelings the composer experiences when the leaves put on their yearly display of beautiful colours. (2:20)

Have your beginners join forces with Batman, Blue Beetle, Plastic Man, and Green Arrow with this heroic main title theme.

A Complete Concert Including: Red River Valley / This Old Man / A Bicycle Built for Two / William Tell Overture

A Complete Concert Including: Lightly Row / Cool Blues / Waltzing with the Stars / Petite March

This bold work depicts the geological wonder of the rock formations in the Bryce Canyon area of southern Utah. Opening with a fanfare, the composition moves through a variety of moods including a reflective 3/4 middle section.

The traditional Newfoundland lyric ballad, “She’s Like a Swallow,” is presented for band with all the passion and emotion it deserves. This tragic tale has many interpretations, but in all its forms is certainly a story of love and loss. A Canadian Ballad provides young bands with an opportunity to play with great colour and expression, bringing a moment of repose and lyricism to any concert performance.

The sounds of valiant knights going into battle are heard in this powerful original by Mark Williams. This work uses only seven notes, yet sounds surprisingly sophisticated. Named after the famous castle in Cardiff, Wales, this selection will make your first-year band sound great.

This Mark Williams best seller has become a standard in the repertoire for very young bands everywhere. Set in a minor key and using only the first few notes learned in beginning band, this imaginative piece will become a favourite of band members and the audience.

Two popular marches from the classical repertoire are paired together in this wonderful new arrangement. Jeremiah Clarke’s (1674–1707) Trumpet Voluntary was originally written for organ and trumpet and is frequently heard as a processional at wedding ceremonies. Franz Schubert’s (1797– 828) Marche Militaire was originally written as a piano duet but has been reset for various instrumental ensembles. This effective arrangement gives the young student an opportunity to perform two of the most famous marches of all time.

Cold Brook March is perfect for your band’s first Concert. The ranges are comfortable for all instruments and the second clarinets never cross the break. Fun, syncopated rhythms provide a great deal of interest throughout. Short percussion solos introduce both the first strain and the second strain which is in the contrasting relative minor key. The break up strain pits the woodwinds against the brass with the percussion section holding it all together.

Sounds of “jackhammers” and “post drivers” provide a rhythmic groove for this very clever rock chart for young bands. The infectious bass line sets up a catchy tune and funky accompaniment riffs that will make this a favourite for beginners

The bold opening statement and tuneful themes make Continental Divide the perfect concert opener for any young band concert. Although very accessible, it still includes varying styles and allows every section in the band an opportunity to play the melody. Using only seven notes, this impressive piece can easily be played during the first few months of instruction

The traditional dance in Africa often expresses the life of the community. Danza Africana is an original composition by Victor López building on the musical concepts of these dances. It is easy to learn, exciting, playable, and will definitely keep the percussionists on the alert. A wonderful opportunity to integrate multicultural learning wit your band.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico honouring deceased family members and friends. It is not a time of sadness, but a time of remembrance and celebration. Two folk songs that have been associated with Día de los Muertos, “El Pajarito Verde”(The Green Bird) and “El Zopilote” (The Buzzard), are the inspiration for the arrangement of this celebratory work.

The Dragon Dance is a popular event in traditional Chinese culture, especially during Chinese New Year celebrations. Originating during the Han Dynasty, the dance is carried out by a team of performers that carry the dragon on poles. Drums, cymbals, and gongs are used with this characteristic dance using only the first six notes learned.

Inspired by the old Irish tale of the banshee, this work uses only five notes! Great for your very first program, there's a chance for independent creativity with ghastly sound effects from your band members. An intriguing work for your first concert!

Conclude your beginning band concert with Michael Story’s Freedom Finale, a patriotic fantasia which includes four popular themes: “America the Beautiful,” “Chester,” “America (My Country 'Tis of Thee),” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Traditional Spanish Carol

A light-natured, tongue-in-cheek Christmas novelty with a subtle country flair will set your beginners up for a endearing holiday performance.

Inspired by the sandstone structures in the American southwest reminiscent of the stone cities from centuries ago, Guardians of the Canyon is a bold, yet mysterious musical tribute. Opening with an intriguing introduction, the work gallantly builds with percussive bursts throughout to a dramatic conclusion.

Heavy Metal has the right elements to get young players excited about band! With its driving rock beat, catchy hook, and infectious power chord rhythm, your students will beg you to rehearse it and be excited about performing it in concert. And what's more, this little gem features your band's own heavy metal section, the low brass (doubled for confidence), with prominent yet playable parts.

I’m an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande) was written for the motion picture “Rhythm on the Range” by veteran songwriter Johnny Mercer. The song was sung by Bing Crosby and became a big hit. Many other singers and singing groups have recorded this song.

Includes “Up on the Housetop,” “Dreydl, Dreydl,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Deck the Halls” in a bright accessible arrangement that will make the very beginning band shine.

This charming setting of James Lord Pierpont's classic festive tune is designed to be rehearsed and performed at the earliest stage of instruction. A solid march feel with repetitive phrases ensures a joyous Christmas presentation.

Combine the mystery of the East with one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols in this creative depiction of the Three Kings' famous journey. Exotic scales and rich harmonies meet to create a powerful performance experience. (1:41)

In the style of an overwrought melodrama, here is a descriptive “soundtrack” for the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. From an innocent walk in the woods, to a frightening encounter, and finally the heroic rescue, your audience will have no trouble following the story with this entertaining musical adventure. (Or you could have dramatically inclined faculty or students act it out!) Duration: 3:10

This march adaptation brings the wonderful ballet music of Léo Delibes to your classroom, concerts, and festival performances. Originally presented as the opening of Act III from his Sylvia, ou La nymphe de Diane, it is both delicate and deliberate.

This well-known melody was written as the theme song for the “Looney Tunes Cartoon” series in the third decade of the 20th century and has been a favourite of young people ever since. In this arrangement, made especially for those young people, the merry-go-round does really “break down.”

Take a trip across the desert with this colourful piece for young band as it portrays the adventures of a group of wandering nomads. The percussion section provides the strong rhythm featuring the timpani and tambourine for added colour, while the winds present the minor-key melody and harmonic minor accompaniment. With dynamic contrasts, varied articulations and longer phrases this piece will be a great learning tool for young band members.

With a theme that is reminiscent of an English Morris Dance tune, this cheerful original is scored to lie easily under the fingers of beginning wind players. Cast in a modified rondo form, ample doublings and rich chord voicings help to achieve a solid top-to-bottom ensemble sound. Subtle articulations and dynamic nuances add just the right dash of color in this musically satisfying offering for concert audiences. Bravo

Introduced with a bold beginning, Ovation transitions to a charming melodic interlude and then builds to a dynamic conclusion. Scored in A-B-A form with a constant pulse, this Michael Story composition will certainly be a musical celebration for your beginning band

As performed by Miley Cyrus, the ultimate party song

The popular “Trumpet Voluntary” is arranged for young band by Bob Phillips in this colourful setting. Playable in the first year of instruction, every section has an interesting part and gets to share in the melody. Contrasting instrumental groupings and varied dynamics and articulations make this an excellent teaching tool as well as a terrific performance piece!

Crafting a charming beginning transcription of this march from Saint-Sean’s “Carnival of the Animals,” Michael Story has captured the grandeur of the king of the jungle. The work is majestic and descriptive with a fanfare-like opening. Make your beginners sound impressive with this dynamic scoring!

Syncopated rhythms, catchy melodies and interesting percussion make this an ideal march for developing young bands.

This gentle piece reminds us of the wistful and whimsical feelings we have when looking into a snow globe. The soaring melodies and colourful accompaniments recall the warm memories of friends and family during the holiday season.

In this evocative work for beginning bands, Michael Oare draws upon imagery and sounds of the Native American “wolf dance” for inspiration. A flute solo sets the opening mood, followed by dramatic full band statements accompanied by a driving percussion ostinato. Duration: 1:20

The inspiration for this festive ballad, “We Three Kings” is the traditional carol which relates the magical, bright star in the sky and its meaning for celebration. Scored in a grandiose ballad style, Star With Royal Beauty Bright will certainly be the highlight on your Christmas concert.

Avast me hardies! A high sea adventure is about to unfold. The ship rocks gently as its bell summons all to board. The pirate crew begins singing to pass time as it prepares the ship for a long voyage. What lies ahead? Are there ships with gold and treasure to be taken? Will there be hopes of riches to share and bury at a secret location? All are eagerly confident. All are members of the pirate brotherhood. All are united and led in their glorious pursuit by “The Pirate King.” “Shiver me timbers, lads, a pirate’s lot is never done. Do ye work or walk da plank. All for treasure and treasure for all! Arrrgh!”

The two folk songs in this arrangement are contrasting in style but they both share the characteristic pentatonic scale that is a staple of Chinese and other Asian cultures. Jasmine Flower musically portrays the lovely scent and beauty of the flower that is often worn in the hair of Asian women. Feng Yang Ge is a much livelier song that combines the pentatonic scale with syncopated rhythms. “Feng Yang” is a region in the Anhui Province of China and “Ge” means song.

Hungarian-born composer Béla Bartók assembled two sets of Romanian Christmas Carols for piano solo in 1915. Two of these contrasting settings fit the musical and technical parameters for less experienced concert band players perfectly, and are presented in this arrangement with slight alteration. A fresh new holiday arrangement with a multicultural flavoUr!

Victor López gives us a fresh new rendition of the theme from Rossini's William Tell Overture set in a rock style. This is an exciting learning tool certain to motivate students with its catchy recognizable classical melody, extremely playable arrangement, and contemporary rock style. You are guaranteed to have a winner.