| Perhaps there is no greater challenge to a serious | | | | to not cross the "break" and the highest note for |
| composer of school band sheet music then creating a | | | | trumpet is fourth line "D". Rhythmically this sheet |
| interesting and challenging composition for the either | | | | music does have some sixteenth notes in the |
| the young band or the beginning band. Composing for | | | | percussion parts, but in all other parts the most |
| these groups is not the focus of the university | | | | complex rhythm is eighth notes. |
| composition programs. The education of the | | | | The middle section of "Abacus" is interesting because |
| composer in major universities covers all aspects of | | | | of the variety of time signatures. Beginning with a |
| music composition from learning to write Bach style | | | | two measure phrase in 3/4 time the melodic line |
| fugues to film scoring. The set of skills that the band | | | | ascends step wise up a major fifth. The 3/4 |
| music composer obtains at the university is complex | | | | measures are followed by a measure of 4/4 time |
| and complete, but writing band music for beginning | | | | and then a measure of 2/4 time. The dynamic |
| band requires composers to develop a new mindset. | | | | changes from pianissimo to forte and the variety of |
| Composers must write motifs, rhythms, and forms | | | | time signatures give this section of "Abacus" a unique |
| that are clearly understandable to young band | | | | flavor and yet, it is very playable by beginning band |
| students and to put those elements together in a | | | | students. |
| way that will motivate beginning band students to | | | | "Abacus" is an excellent example of how band sheet |
| work hard and learn more. It is not easy to write | | | | music can be composed in such a way that the |
| sheet music that will energize young band students | | | | beginning band student, the conductor, and the |
| and at the same time meet the restrictions of the | | | | audience feel they are performing and listening to |
| first or second year learning levels. | | | | sheet music of merit. |
| An example of band music that does meet the | | | | Much of the challenge of energizing young band |
| requirements of a successful beginning band | | | | students to continue to musically achieve is on the |
| composition is "Abacus" by Tom Tucker of PDF Band | | | | shoulders of band music composers. There has never |
| Music. A quick look at the score of "Abacus" reveals | | | | been a better time for composers of band sheet |
| that no instrument range exceeds the notes learned | | | | music to publish because of the growing number of |
| by an average beginning band student. Clarinet parts | | | | online music publishing websites. |