Concert Band

30 Original Chorales and Warm-ups

Grade 2.5 | 17 Mins

30 Original Chorales and Warm-Ups have been designed to develop the more important aspects of band playing by providing material that can be used at the start of a rehearsal to test balance, dynamics, tuning, flexibility and articulation. Band directors are encouraged to adapt them to suit their own band by focussing on specific musical challenges which may need to be addressed.

Dynamics and tempo indications are not given and should be chosen by the band director as is deemed appropriate. For example, No 15 can be used for ‘long note’ practice to develop tone and stamina by adding a crescendo and diminuendo to each note at a suitably slow tempo.

CHORALES

All the chorales are strictly four-part, distributed as follows:

Soprano: Flute, Oboe, 1st Clarinet, 1st Alto Sax, 1st Trumpet, Mallet Percussion

Alto: 2nd Clarinet, 2nd Alto Sax, 2nd Trumpet, 1st Horn

Tenor: 3rd Clarinet, Tenor Sax, 2nd Horn, 1st Trombone

Bass: Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Sax, 2nd Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Double Bass

As can be seen from the above, woodwind, saxophone and brass sections are all harmonically complete, allowing these exercises to be used for bands with less-than-full instrumentation or sectional practice. Among many possibilities other viable ensembles include clarinet section or quartet, saxophone quartet or brass quartet (eg 2 trumpets, 2nd horn, 2nd trombone) 

WARM-UPS

The warm-ups are intended to develop:-

Balance, intonation, ensemble and interval awareness (1, 2, 3, 13, 14, 15)

Articulation and ensemble (20, 21, 22)

Flexibility (23, 24, 25)

New keys and time signatures (27, 28, 29, 30)