Instant Success Music for First Year Band and Strings
Band Music
Check out my new selections –
Articulation Station, Sunburst, Rush Hour, Goblins in the Dark, Cross Country, Cross Current, Copycat and Tag!
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH TO HEAR OR SEE MORE OF THE MUSIC
Instant Success Music for First Year Band
(Music is copyrighted)
![]() |
In The Groove ZoneIn the Groove Zone is reminiscent of a laid-back Count Basie tune for beginning jazz band. Extremely easy with additional instrumental parts if you wish to give the opportunity for more students to play in this jazz style. |
|||
![]() |
Razz Ma Tazz for Concert Band |
Razz-Ma-TazzRazz Ma Tazz for Beginning Jazz Band is written in a strong rock style but easy to teach and play. This piece uses flexible instrumentation with Bb 1 and Bb 2 parts. You choose your players by ability to individual instruction and success. Razz-Ma-Tazz for BandRazz Ma Tazz has been revamped for easy concert band. The energy of the piece is preserved but with some rhythmic adjustments for ease of beginners. |
|
|
![]() |
Funny bonesSTAIR STEPS Being asked to write a pieces to feature trombones was fun for me. For Funny Bones, it was mandatory for me to include glissandos. This piece is flexible because it you do not have a strong trombone section, that part can be excluded and the piece is then retitled “Stair Steps”. |
See the Music | ||
![]() |
Stick ShiftStick Shift was a creation to add more interesting percussion parts in a simple rock feel piece. The students enjoy the rhythmic and articulation differences. A true teaching tool! |
|
||
![]() |
Classic Caribbean(Also called Sea Island Fantasy) Caribbean Classic is a fun and exciting musical piece that has been specifically created for very young band students. The ranges and rhythms of the piece have been carefully crafted to ensure that it is easy for students to play and enjoyable for audiences to listen to. The joyful and upbeat nature of Sea Island Fantasy (Classic Caribbean) makes it perfect for young musicians to showcase their skills and bring smiles to the faces of their listeners. |
|
||
![]() |
Auto PilotAutopilot is a somewhat unpretentious rock piece with some “blue” notes. Students love playing different sounds and are anxious to learn these “color” notes and a simple syncopation. |
|
||
![]() |
Calypso(Also called Calypso Crush) Calypso is a necessity in every beginning band library. The percussion section adds a Latin flavor playing tom-tom, claves, cow bell and maracas. The band is divided into 3 sections with counter melodies that merge at the end of the piece for a dynamic finish. Easily performed giving each band section an important part in the action. |
|||
![]() |
Snap!SNAP! Is an extremely easy piece which includes finger snaps for fun! It is a jazz style with an easy tie to create a swing feel. Students love the piece and play with confidence! |
|
||
![]() |
Bits and PiecesBits and Pieces is a must for any beginning concert program. It projects high energy with its rock-based percussion emphasized by articulation with staccato and accents in the instrumental parts. The piece is just plain fun for all! |
|||
![]() |
Swing It!Swing It! Is an extremely jazzy piece which is easily performed on your first concert. The piece will help the group sound very mature for their short time of musical studies. |
|
||
![]() |
Overdrive!Put on your dance shoes and rock out with “Overdrive!”. This catchy rock tune will delight both students and audiences and with just a 6 note range the piece is playable by elementary bands. |
|||
![]() |
t |
Skeletons At Midnight(offers Opt. easy FLUTE)“Skeletons at Midnight!” is a very easy beginning band selection. Uniquely different from most beginning band pieces, “Skeletons” is fun in a minor mode. To create an eerie sound, the brass buzzes on mouthpieces while the woodwinds trill. Percussion uses sticks and rims to create a “dry bones” atmosphere. This piece is great for your very first concert or as a filler for later performances! |
||
![]() |
FORWARD March!Forward March! is a very easy piece for your earliest concerts. It has a step-wise melodic line and offers easy optional flute parts. |
|||
![]() |
Mysterious MountainMysterious Mountain challenges students to learn a “color” note. The students love to learn this special sounding note in the fabric of the piece. Clarinets will explore the right-hand notes in a simple falling line. All students become percussionists as they take turns with a clapping rhythm. |
|||
![]() |
Colonial Brigade MarchColonial Brigade March is a great concert opener for your early band concerts. The march is in a straight-ahead style recalling the colonial era with a delicate emphasis on the woodwinds at the beginning. Colonial Brigade March is reminiscent of the colonial uniforms and three-cornered hats. It can be performed with limited instrumentation. (OPT. STRING PARTS INCL.) |
|
||
![]() |
Tinga LayoWith a Latin charm, Tinga Layo is a very easy addition to any program. The percussion section has a wonderful role in creating the style. |
|||
![]() |
Randy’s RockRandy’s Rock is a very energetic rock piece full of pep. A great addition to your library with a great interplay of eighth notes between the melodic parts and the percussion. |
|||
![]() |
Medieval Knights(Also called “The Dark Knight and the Serpent Ring”) Venture back into the Middle Ages to the time of knights in shining armor. Knights roamed the countryside on horseback protecting castles, kings, and queens with loyalty to each other in time of peril. Open parallel fifths and fourths create a unique and dramatic sound of the historic era. Your students will be mesmerized by this unusual piece is in triple meter. |
|||
![]() |
POPSICLE STICKS(Also was called Riff Raff) (opt. string parts incl.)“Popsicle Sticks” delights performers and audiences alike. The catchy tune combines a rock and bluesy style. It encourages your students to practice incorporating fingering techniques along with a solid rhythmic foundation. In addition, the piece spotlights some special stick parts in the percussion. A must for your beginning band library! |
|||
![]() |
Ready, Set, Play!Ready, Set, Play! is a very lively dance-like piece in a minor key. The students really enjoy the accelerando at the end. They practice to get the fingers moving! An addition to a concert with a unique tonality. |
|
||
![]() |
Danza de Fiesta(Was called Latin Spirit) Treat your beginning band to a fiesta! Danza de Fiesta is a lively and exciting piece that combines three independent lines to create a full band sound. Students will enjoy practicing the eighth note rhythms as they acquire fingerings and tonguing techniques. A sure concert winner! |
|
||
![]() |
Fanfare for the Common KidFanfare for the Common Kid pays homage to the legacy of the American Composer Aaron Copland. The original Fanfare for the Common Man has great strength using only brass and percussion instruments and it was written in response to the US entry into World War II. |
|||
![]() |
We Three KingsTraditional Carol |
|||
![]() |
The Angel CarolTraditional Carol This arrangement uses Bb 1 and Bb2 instruments allowing the director to choose the performance levels of the students. The Angel Carol 2022This version is also very easy, but the trumpets and clarinets have different parts. |
|||
![]() |
BB Blues(opt. string parts incl.)BB Blues is an easy bluesy tune with a nice repetitive rhythmic jazz feel. It may be played with a small group as a jazz band piece. A real show-stopper! |
|||
![]() |
Rondo for BandRondo for Band was written as a teaching tool for form. An eight-measure theme is repeated after additional themes. There is great comfort and confidence in the performance of the repeated sections. |
|||
![]() |
FortressFortress is a whirling but powerful piece in a minor key. Students love the differences in tonality and the exciting accelerando at the end is a great learning tool for students to follow the conductor. |
|
||
![]() |
Grand OpeningGrand Opening was written as a fanfare for an award program. It can herald the beginning of a ceremony or concert. It has strength and conviction in a limited note range. |
|||
![]() |
A Renaissance Masterpiece(offers easy opt. flute)A Renaissance Masterpiece is based on a dance by Tielman Susato, a Flemish composer (c. 1510-1570) It has a definite connection to the past as it begins with open fifths. It is a great varietal asset to any concert. This piece offers an optional easy flute part. |
|
||
![]() |
Chips and SalsaChips and Salsa will please your student musicians as well as the audience. Easily taught in a few rehearsals, Chips and Salsa can be programed on your early concerts. This piece is playable with limited instrumentation as you can assign parts in the divisi section depending on your students’ abilities. Students can see how their parts fits with the section. Chips also gives the opportunity to use your percussionists to provide a Latin flavorhttps://instantsuccessmusic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Renaissance-Masterpiece.mp3 |
|||
![]() |
Country JamboreeOFFERS EASY FLUTE OPTION Grab a western hat, boots and a partner and get ready to “do-si-do”. Join this lively band piece recalling barn dances and line dancing. Country Jamboree uses body percussion for additional fun. This selection is easy to program on your earliest concerts or as an additional piece to round out the program! |
|||
![]() |
Rock Element( offers opt. easy flute)Rock Element fills the void for any beginning band. It has the flexibility of Bb 1 and Bb 2 parts to help you distribute parts according to student abilities. It also offers an optional flute part. And it is just plain F |
|||
![]() |
Fantasia On “Silent Night”Dive into the enchanting world of Christmas magic with this Linda Bange crafted arrangement, “Fantasia on Silent Night.” Designed for very young bands, this arrangement of the timeless Austrian carol, “Silent Night,” encapsulates the heartwarming spirit of the holiday season. The arrangement offers an exciting challenge for young musicians, encouraging mastery of dotted rhythms and expanded ranges, fostering growth in musical skills. |
|
See The Music | |
![]() |
Rush HourEnergize your beginning band with “Rush Hour”. Feel the pulse of the city with its driving rhythm, as your young musicians navigate through the bustling soundscape. Hit the right notes and keep the momentum alive with this energetic composition – because in the world of music, every hour is a rush hour! |
See The Music | ||
![]() |
Articulation Stationhis exuberant march-like piece begins with a catchy melody that will immediately capture your listeners. Students will have fun as they learn about accents, slurs and staccato articulations. “Articulation Station” will be a great addition to any early instrumental program. |
|
||
![]() |
Goblins in the Dark!Goblins in the Dark! is an early band selection teaching triple meter featuring the lower instruments. Its modal tonality creates a mysterious aura. Come have fun performing this playful work. |
|
||
![]() |
Cross CountryCross Country will delight your students and audiences as your beginning band plays with style and appeal. Imagine western boots and hats and having fun with a cheerful tune that showcases all sections of your ensemble. You won’t be disappointed with this piece! |
|
||
![]() |
Cross CurrentImagine a small stream winding through a canyon. This stream meets a river and empties into the main channel creating a large swell of active current. Your students will be impressed by the intensity of the musical lines and the interplay between parts which brings excitement to all players. A sure winner for any program! |
|
||
![]() |
Tag!This piece has a lively interplay between instrument groups as they “chase” each other through the musical maze. The tune is energetic and sparkles with sonority. So much fun and such a great program piece for very first bands. |
See The Music | ||
![]() |
CopycatCopyCat offers an engaging introduction to blues music tailored for first-year musicians. This piece features an exciting yet laid-back blues that incorporate independent counting, helping young players develop timing and rhythm skills early on. Designed specifically for beginners, CopyCat provides a supportive and enjoyable learning experience that builds confidence and musicality from the start. |
|
|
|
![]() |
SunburstSunburst is an arrangement that conjures imagery of clouds parting and the sun rising. It is an excellent selection for offering young students a change of tempo as well as opportunities to articulate accents and staccato. Beginning band students will find this piece manageable and appropriate for their skill level. Audiences are likely to appreciate the sound produced by these young musicians. |
See The Music | ||
|
(Music is copyrighted)