This set contains a sampling of intermediate (Grade 1.5-2.5) concert band music by composer, Scott Watson. Most music is published by Alfred, with others by Barnhouse, Hal Leonard, and Wingert-Jones. Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more, or www.jwpepper.com to purchase.

Intermediate Band

"Lion of Ireland," by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications, Grade 3). An exciting concert piece based on "Brian Boru's March," a traditional Irish tune named for the legendary 11th-century ruler. Framed by dramatic opening and closing statements, the rustic Celtic tune gives way to original material, all in a showcase for band that reflects the valor and glory of the storied "last high king" of Ireland. Published in Alfred's Young Symphonic series, and selected for the 2011 Bandworld Top 100 list.  Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Lion Of Ireland

"Thrills and Trills!" (March), by Scott Watson (Grade 2.5, Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

When it comes to trills, why should the woodwinds have all the fun? Not so with Thrills and Trills! This circus-style march is a rambunctious, thrill-a-minute crowd-pleaser where trills are the main event and every player in band gets into the act. This Grade 2 Alfred Challenger Series march sound like a 3!

Thrills And Trills!

"Appalachian Folk Carol" (Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head), by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Appalachian Folk Carol

"Tu Ungane" (Come Together), by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Tu Ungane

"Appalachian Hoedown," by Scott Watson (Barnhouse). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Appalachian Hoedown

"Hercules vs. The Hydra," by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

The Greek hero, Hercules, was sentenced by the Gods to endure 12 seemingly impossible "labors" in order to redeem himself. Hercules vs. the Hydra portrays the second of these tests, his battle with a nine-headed water serpent with deadly venom and the ability to grow back two heads for every one cut off! The piece begins with the Hydra's half-step motive, which quickly builds and multiplies into the music of the epic fight. The blows of Hercules' club and sword, rhythmic accents in the music, land hard on the beast but to no avail. Hercules regroups to a slow, hopeful theme, encouraged as his nephew Iolaus shares the secret to defeating the Hydra. Hercules rejoins the contest with new resolve, reflected in the exciting merging of two of the piece's themes, which lead to a victorious climax! 

This Alfred Challenger Series piece was a 2013 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice" and is available in SmartMusic. 

Hercules vs. The Hydra

"Coney Island Rag," by Scott Watson (Grade 2, Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

This lively, nostalgic piece will musically transport players and audience alike to the iconic amusement parks of turn-of -the-century Coney Island (near Brooklyn, New York). The sweet, cheerful sounds that flowed from the carousels and bandwagons of a time gone by infuse this characteristic, but level-appropriate, work. Ragtime feel is achieved via accessible syncopations, chromatics that lie well on the instruments, and sectional form. Novel percussion, including a slide whistle, adds to the fun! Alfred Challenger Series. 

Coney Island Rag

"Up On the Haunted Housetop," arr. by Scott Watson, with optional narrator (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

Up On The Haunted Housetop

"Awake the Iron," by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

"Desperta ferro!," or "Awake the Iron!" was the battle cry of Medieval Spanish soldiers called the Almogavars. In the dim light of dawn, as they prepared for battle, these fierce soldiers would beat their swords on rocks shouting this phrase. The sparks that flew from the rocks in the eerie light of dawn, together with the soldier's call to arms, would give any enemy pause. Awake the Iron, with its insistent unisons, energetic rhythms, modal themes, and powerful percussive writing, mirrors the ferocious intensity of the medieval battlefield. This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," available in SmartMusic, performed at the 2010 Midwest Clinic, and was selected for the 2010 Bandworld Top 100 list!

Awake The Iron

"Troika," from Lte. Kije Suite, arr. by Scott Watson (Alfred Publications). Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more.

"Troika," from Lte. Kije Suite, Prokofiev, arr. by Scott Watson

In Dorian Haiku (Alfred Publications) by Scott Watson, two centuries-old cultural artifacts - one Western (the Dorian mode) and one Eastern (Haiku poetry) - are fused together, resulting in an engaging and beautiful composition for intermediate band.

The piece begins with the ensemble in unison, chant-like, on a Dorian mode melody with three phrases: 5 notes, 7 notes, and 5 notes (the haiku). After some development, a contrasting section - another 5-7-5 Dorian haiku - follows; exotic percussion suggestive of Eastern music accompanies. After a brief percussion soli, the opening haiku returns fully-scored in a broad, gorgeous climax. Finally, fragments of the haiku sound as the piece winds to a peaceful, somber close.

A unique work, Dorian Haiku offers many wonderful opportunities for teaching both musical and cross-curricular concepts.

Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more, or www.jwpepper.com to purchase.

Dorian Haiku

El Cid (Alfred Publications) by Scott Watson musically portrays the thrilling adventures and conquests of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a nobleman and military leader in medieval Spain. Called "El Cid" ("the Lord") by the Moors and "El Campeador" ("the champion") by Christians, his military prowess and epic exploits have made him the national hero of Spain.

El Cid is a rewarding work that allows directors to put something different in terms of key and meter before their developing instrumentalists. After an exciting introduction, an infectious Spanish rhythm ostinato (3+3, 2+2+2 in ¾ time) undergirds the main theme, driving the piece as it builds. Ample percussion, including an important tambourine part, contribute to the Spanish feel. 

Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more, or www.jwpepper.com to purchase.

El Cid

Snow Day Adventure (Grade 1.5, Alfred Publishing) by Scott Watson. 

The alarm clock sounds on a cold winter morning. Youngsters wake and peer outside to find the ground covered with deep snow. It's going to be a "snow day" off from school! The fun-filled adventure which ensues, replete with sledding, snowmen, forts, and snowball battles is musically portrayed in this delightful, colorfully scored seasonal work for young band.

For more information, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Snow Day Adventure

Call to Valor (Grade 1.5, Alfred) musically invokes both the resolute strength and quiet courage required to face difficulties and the unknown. The piece begins with a brief, animated introduction followed by a bold fanfare theme. A quieter, contrasting section alternates bugle calls with field drum solos, but then builds to the return of the opening material. A perfect fanfare opener or exciting closer for your next concert. 

According to Charles R. Groeling's review in The Instrumentalist magazine (Nov. 2012), "This piece would make an excellent program opener or closer." This Alfred Challenger series piece is a 2012 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," and available in SmartMusic. 

For more information, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Call To Valor

Inspired by the German Romantic poem by Goethe, this Grade 2.5 concert piece takes the listener on a father and son's spine-chilling horseback ride through a dark, misty forest - full of "Gothic" excitement!

Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more, or www.jwpepper.com to purchase.

Der Erlkonig

Please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com to learn more, or www.jwpepper.com to purchase.

Secret Agent Sugar Plum

O Happy Day

RACE CAR (Alfred Publications, Young Symphonic Series, Grade 2.5)

The skill and thrill of auto racing is captured musically in this piece via it’s infectious groove and exciting syncopations. Written in one continuous movement, its sections (Start Your Engines!, They’re Off!, Pit Stop, Back On Track, and Finish Line) will help you imagine sitting behind the wheel of a powerful and agile racing machine over the course of a breathtaking speed contest. 

Students performing this piece will enjoy discovering that the palindromic nature of the title, “Race Car” (which reads the same forwards and backwards), is exploited musically throughout. Use of palindrome includes a pervasive syncopated ostinato rhythm, it’s overall A-B-A form, and a fugatto section at the center of the work (Pit Stop) in which virtually each instrumental part is a palindrome! The pit crew is suggested in this section – a “race car ricercar” - by use of mechanical-sounding percussion (ratchet, brake drum).

RACE CAR was commissioned for and premiered by the Shepherd Middle School Band (Ottawa, Illinois) to mark its final concert with long-time director, Ms. Donna Martin. 

For more information about the music of Scott Watson, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Race Car

Terracotta Warriors (Alfred Publications, Grade 2.5) was inspired by the extraordinary “spirit army” of clay statues - numbering more than 6,000 - created in the third century B.C. for the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, first emperor of China. This astounding array of armed sculptures was placed in the emperor’s tomb, along with hundreds of terracotta horses and chariots, to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The music begins with a brief, plaintive folk chant summoning the army from their centuries-old sleep. The faithful warriors respond, coming to life to protect their emperor with musical representations of uniform marching and weapons display. Terracotta Warriors captures the legend and grandeur of the Qin dynasty in this striking and unique piece for band. 

Terracotta Warriors was commissioned by the Albemarle County (Virginia) Middle School Honors Band, premiered November 2016.  Alfred Young Symphonic Series and 2017 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice.

To learn more, visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

Terracotta Warriors

See Amid the Winter’s Snow (Alfred Publications, Grade 2) is perhaps the best-know carol by English organist, composer and teacher, Sir John Goss (1800-1880). The emotional scope of this lovely nativity hymn - from the cold, winter’s “dead of night” to the appearing of angels singing in “wondrous light” - is mirrored in the dynamics of Watson’s musical setting. 

See Amid the Winter’s Snow - with its quintessentially English melody, flowing inner voices, and sturdy bass lines - has it all and is the perfect “change of pace” piece for your winter program.

To learn more, please visit www.scottwatsonmusic.com.

See Amid The Winter's Snow

Scott Watson has composed for concert, radio, and theater and received recognition for his work from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, the American Music Center and others.

Watson's music for band is published primarily by Alfred Publications, for whom he an exclusive composer for the Challenger Series. Other music for concert band is published by Wingert-Jones Publications, TRN, C. L. Barnhouse, Hal Leonard, Concert Works Unlimited (a division of Shawnee Press, now distributed by Hal Leonard), and Jon Ross Music. His string/orchestra music is published by Wingert-Jones Publications Publications, and his chamber music is published by Trillenium Music Company.

About Watson's music, The Instrumentalist says "outstanding...with beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies" (Mark Hosler, 2004), Percussive Notes says "written with supreme craft" (Cort McClaren, 1993), the Allentown Morning Call says "Watson exhibited a great deal of skill in managing the resources of the orchestra...a very well-crafted piece...he will very likely become a force to be reckoned with" (Philip A. Metzger, 2000), and PMEA News says "Watson skillfully transforms his zest for life into his own brand of unique musical exuberance. His scoring for winds, brass, and percussion is excellent" (Kenneth Laudermilch, 1998). His music for band has several times been named to Bandworld Top 100 and Japan Band Clinic Yamaha Recommends 100 Pieces for Band listings. Recent projects include Youth/Student Concert performances of his Aesop's Fables by the Allentown Band, with dance choreographed by Repertory Dance Theater, as well as commissions by MusicAlliance Honor Band Camp (Cleveland, Ohio) made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Lehigh County (Pennsylvania) Bandmasters Association, Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (Spring 2007, concert band and chorus); an American Composers Forum Continental Harmony project commission, Magic Valley, (2004, concert band); Figurations (for winds and percussion), commissioned by the West Chester University Wind Ensemble, Kenneth Laudermilch, Director; Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, for the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava conductor and Terell Stafford, trumpet soloist; and Hymn and Declaration, commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, Donald Spieth, Director. Watson has been pleased and honored to serve as guest conductor and adjudicator at various band festivals as well.

Watson teaches instrumental and elective music in the Parkland School District (Allentown, PA), and serves as adjunct professor teaching music education/music technology courses for Villanova University, Cairn University, and Central Connecticut State University and Applied Composition for Valley Forge Christian College. His book, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity, focuses on project-based, creative music learning facilitated by technology, and is published by Oxford University Press.

Intermediate Band

Dr. Scott Watson