Simple 4 Part Scores for the Beginner Band
This page contains various scores I've written for the Creston Beginner Concert Band. Band members are welcome to download extra copies as needed. If you are not a member of the band, you're welcome to download as well ... but please respect other peoples copyrights (don't sell this stuff!) and, please, drop me a note and let me know if it's useful or just crap.
Each song has PDF files for various instruments. The “SCORE” file contains a 4-line file in SATB for conducting; the “MSCORE” file has 5 lines (melody plus SATB), chords and lyrics (not relevant for some of the pieces, like the Chorales).
In addition, there is a MIDI file for each score. These are not that great, auto-created and really just simple piano reductions. But, they are (mostly) in time, key and tempo. Each piece has a 2 bar metronome introduction (to give you time to click your “start” button and pick up your instrument). These should be useful for practicing. And, for those times when MIDI isn't going to be all that wonderful, there is a MP3 file as well. No excuses for not doing your homework! The MP3 files have been generated directly from the MIDI files using timidity.
The “LEAD” file is a simple lead-sheet with lyrics, melody and chords. Great for piano, guitar or even a bass player (not relevant for some of the pieces, like the Chorales).
The individual instrument files each have a Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass part. For the most part, instruments can swap their parts around. These arrangements are fairly simple and can be used by small groups.
Please make sure you get the correct file for your instrument
- Flute, violin, oboe and other “C” instruments get “...C-pdf”.
- Clarinet, trumpet, tenor saxophone and other “*Bb” instruments get “...Bb-pdf”.
- Alto saxophone and other “Eb” instruments get “...Eb-pdf”.
- French horn and other “F” instruments get “...F-pdf”
- Tuba, trombone and other “Bass Clef” instruments get “...BASS.pdf”.
If you don't understand the above, please ask! You don't want to end up with the wrong sheet of music at our practice and have the conductor wondering why things sound so terribly odd!
Some of the songs have an “Easy” part as well. If you're just getting started on your instrument, please grab this sheet. It contains a reduced set of notes and rhythms which will let you play in the band while you're learning all the “hard stuff”.
Avalon
| avalon-BASS.pdf |
avalon-Bb.pdf |
avalon-C.pdf |
| avalon-Eb.pdf |
avalon-F.pdf |
avalon-LEAD.pdf |
| avalon-MSCORE.pdf |
avalon-SCORE.pdf |
avalon.mid |
| avalon.mp3 |
Acapoulco Polka
Choral #1 (Johann Cruger)
| choral-1-BASS.pdf |
choral-1-Bb.pdf |
choral-1-C.pdf |
| choral-1-Eb.pdf |
choral-1-F.pdf |
choral-1-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-1-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-1-SCORE.pdf |
choral-1.mid |
| choral-1.mp3 |
Choral #2 (J.S. Bach)
| choral-2-BASS.pdf |
choral-2-Bb.pdf |
choral-2-C.pdf |
| choral-2-Eb.pdf |
choral-2-F.pdf |
choral-2-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-2-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-2-SCORE.pdf |
choral-2.mid |
| choral-2.mp3 |
Choral #3 (Johann Adam Hiller)
| choral-3-BASS.pdf |
choral-3-Bb.pdf |
choral-3-C.pdf |
| choral-3-Eb.pdf |
choral-3-F.pdf |
choral-3-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-3-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-3-SCORE.pdf |
choral-3.mid |
| choral-3.mp3 |
Choral #4 (J.S. Bach)
| choral-4-BASS.pdf |
choral-4-Bb.pdf |
choral-4-C.pdf |
| choral-4-Eb.pdf |
choral-4-F.pdf |
choral-4-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-4-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-4-SCORE.pdf |
choral-4.mid |
| choral-4.mp3 |
Choral #5 (J.S. Bach)
This lovely choral has a great bass part!
| choral-5-BASS.pdf |
choral-5-Bb.pdf |
choral-5-C.pdf |
| choral-5-Eb.pdf |
choral-5-F.pdf |
choral-5-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-5-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-5-SCORE.pdf |
choral-5.mid |
| choral-5.mp3 |
Choral BWV 504 (J.S. Bach)
This is a three part choral. It's a bit more a challenge than the other ones!
| choral-504-BASS.pdf |
choral-504-Bb.pdf |
choral-504-C.pdf |
| choral-504-Eb.pdf |
choral-504-F.pdf |
choral-504-LEAD.pdf |
| choral-504-MSCORE.pdf |
choral-504-SCORE.pdf |
choral-504.mid |
| choral-504.mp3 |
Choral BWV 70.11 (J.S. Bach)
Comedian's Dance
This fun piece really moves! So, relax and remember why you practiced all those scales. You did practice scales, didn't you? And you practiced tonguing notes?
Fella Bird
| fella-bird-BASS.pdf |
fella-bird-Bb.pdf |
fella-bird-C.pdf |
| fella-bird-Eb.pdf |
fella-bird-F.pdf |
fella-bird-LEAD.pdf |
| fella-bird-MSCORE.pdf |
fella-bird-SCORE.pdf |
fella-bird.mid |
| fella-bird.mp3 |
German Waltz
A good starter piece from the “Yamaha Band Ensembles” book. If you have have the book, use it. Otherwise, download this.
In Heaven Above
An old folk tune from Finland which has been adopted (adapted?) as a hymn by the Lutherans. I've made a few minor changes to make it sound good in four parts.
The Irish Washerwoman
A traditional piece every fiddler knows.
Light Cavalry
A short part of a very long (and tedious) operetta, Light Cavalry, written by Franz von Suppe in 1866.
Londonderry Air
Minstrel Boy
Simple little 19th century Irish folk melody.
Samba Lelé
A fast paced, traditional children's song from Brazil. Arranged in three parts plus bass. It can be played with each player (other that the bass) rotating though the parts. (Note, the audio files only repeat twice, not three times as the score indicates.)
Still, Still, Still
This is a lovely little lullaby from 18th century Austria.
Surprise Symphony
A short excerpt from the second movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94.
The Thunderer
A simple arrangement of the well known Sousa March.
Till There Was You
Easy and fun arrangement of the sweet love song from the musical The Music Man. Sorry string players, but it is in Eb (you all knew you would need to learn those flat keys one day!)
Under The Boardwalk
Easy arrangement of the 1964 hit by The Drifters.
Waltzing Cuckoo
This is an arrangement of a song I first played on my accordion in 1963. In my book it's credited to “Palmer-Hughes”, but they have stolen it from a song composed in 1909 by Emanuel Jonasson. So I'm not very upset by stealing their version and adapting it yet again. In this arrangement the melody moves around to all 4 parts. Have fun.
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Written by the American stage actor Chauncey Olcott for his 1912 production of The Isle O' Dreams, this song has become a world-wide favorite.
You Only Live Twice
A simple arrangement from the James Bond movie. This introduces quarter note triplets and sixteenth notes. Nothing to be afraid of!
Christmas Songs
Bring a Torch
Huron Carol
Jingle Bells
Joy To The Word
Let It Snow
O Come All Ye Faithful
Rudoloph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Silent Night
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Winter Wonderland
For those who just “need to know”, I do my scores using the MUP publishing package. For more details, read my resource and review page.
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This page was last modified on 2024-03-21 |