Alfred Music Submission Guidelines For Concert Band

At Alfred Music, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity and necessary information to submit music to be considered for publication. We encourage composers of all backgrounds and levels of experience to create and submit music for review. In addition to full-time composers, teachers are very often some of the best writers of educationally focused music—finding the balance between art and education is a challenge, but one that we encourage you to try. The framework that follows is designed to aid in the creation of music that fosters the education and growth of instrumental music students from all over the world. Please view these as guidelines rather than rules, as musical context is also very important in defining grade levels. Music that is submitted must be in the public domain or an original work. The instrumentation must align with our offered series, and works must be intended for the educational market. Our catalogs are not without limits—with that in mind, please do not be discouraged if your submission is not accepted for publication. Publication decisions are multifaceted; if a piece does not move forward for publication that is not always an indication of the quality of the writing. Also, with the number of submissions we receive, it is impossible to provide specific feedback about why a piece may not have been accepted. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and want you to know that every submitted piece will be reviewed and responded to. Thank you for considering Alfred Music as a home for your music! Please begin the submission process by reviewing our most recent releases to ensure that your creative work is targeted to our audience and in alignment with our guidelines. View Alfred’s most recent band releases here. For more information, enjoy this article from the Alfred Music Blog. Alfred Concert Band

Alfred Developing Band Series GRADE ½–2 Instrumentation: Flute; Oboe; 1st & 2nd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st & 2nd Trumpet; F Horn; Trombone/Baritone/Bassoon; Tuba; Mallet Percussion; Percussion & Timpani. For beginning level pieces, the instrumentation may be reduced and omit 2nd parts for Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, or Trumpet. Series description: Designed for when your beginning performers are feeling more comfortable playing together as an ensemble and ready to perform slightly more challenging music, Alfred’s Developing Band Series is the ideal choice. Each piece is solidly scored with stability and confidence in mind. As works approach the grade two level, multi-part independence increases to support musical growth. Suited for first-, second-, and third-year players, this series is in full-score format with reduced instrumentation.

Alfred Young Symphonic Series GRADE 2–3 Instrumentation: Flute; Oboe; Bassoon; 1st & 2nd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st & 2nd Trumpet; Horn; 1st & 2nd Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba; Mallet Percussion, Percussion & Timpani Series description: Full-sounding original compositions and transcriptions are provided in this bright and bold symphonic band series. Students are presented with more challenging performance concepts, both interpretively and technically, that help them to develop overall musicianship with limited instrumentation (2 trumpets, 2 clarinets, 2 trombones, and a single French horn part) while providing a complete sound that delivers satisfying performances.

Alfred Concert Band Series GRADE 3–5 Instrumentation: Piccolo (opt.); 1st & 2nd Flute; Oboe; Bassoon;1st, 2nd, & 3rd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trumpet; 1st & 2nd Horn; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba; Mallet Percussion; Percussion & Timpani Series description: Designed for concert bands at the high school and collegiate levels, as well as community bands, this series includes original compositions and arrangements by a number of well-known and emerging composers. Each work is chosen for its musicality, uniqueness, and appropriateness for the serious concert program. Belwin Concert Band

Very Beginning Band GRADE ½ Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone/Baritone/Bassoon, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Percussion & Optional Timpani. Special Considerations: Utilizes only the first few notes presented in most beginning band methods (most restrictive for holiday selections); designed for both instruction and performance during the first year. Limited use of repeated-pitch eighth notes as the most complex rhythm combined with solid scoring and extensive cross-cueing permits successful performance with incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation; limited percussion instrumentation constructed without rolls.

Beginning Band GRADE 1–1½ Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone/Baritone/Bassoon, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Percussion & Optional Timpani. Special Considerations: Awkward skips avoided; ample cross-cueing (especially solos); care taken to write “easy” low brass/low woodwind parts; percussion may be written a grade level above winds level.

Young Band GRADE 2–2½ Instrumentation: Flute; Oboe; Bassoon; 1st & 2nd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st & 2nd Trumpet; Horn; Trombone; Baritone; Tuba; Mallet Percussion, Percussion & Timpani—for popular music; Synthesizer/Keyboard/Piano & Drumset parts, when included, are optional. Special Considerations: Awkward skips avoided; ample cross-cueing (especially solos); care taken to write “easy” low brass/low woodwind parts; percussion may be written a grade level above winds level.

Concert Band GRADE 3–3½ Instrumentation: 1st & 2nd Flute; Oboe; Bassoon; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trumpet; 1st & 2nd Horn; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba; Mallet Percussion; Percussion (expanded) & Timpani—for popular music; Synthesizer/Keyboard/Piano; Drumset & Electric Bass parts, when included, are optional. Special Considerations: Extensive cross-cueing (particularly for solos for Horn, Bassoon, Oboe, & Bass Clarinet); composers are encouraged to use expanded percussion, particularly mallet and accessory instruments.

Symphonic Band GRADE 4+ Instrumentation: C Piccolo; 1st & 2nd Flute; 1st & Opt. 2nd Oboe; 1st & Opt. 2nd Bassoon;1st, 2nd, & 3rd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; Contrabass Clarinet (opt.); 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trumpet; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Horn; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba; Mallet Percussion; Percussion (expanded) & Timpani—for popular music; Synthesizer/Keyboard/Piano; Drumset & Electric Bass parts, when included, are optional. Special Considerations: as necessary for musical content.

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Alfred Concert Band Series Belwin Concert Band Series Grade 3–3½ Belwin Concert Band Series

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