About the Piece

Race to the Evergreen is a short work for band encompassing vitality and legacy. The piece opens with an exuberant burst, followed by a jaunty primary theme. Playful echoes decorate the spaces between. Finally, this melody stretches and slows into something grander and more lyrical—the evergreen. Here, the primary theme is countered by the familiar melody of Frederick Bigelow's “Our Director.”

The piece is composed in honor of former band director Frank Giampietro. I imagine the energy of the first section to match his enthusiasm and dedication to his bands and the broader finale to match his evergreen legacy, a lasting impression on the program and the community.

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Written for Grade 2 band with optional Grade 1 parts for the latter section, this piece is a great stepping stone into an easy multilevel piece for young students or to include alumni of your program home for a visit,