John McAllisterComposer, Educator
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Band Compositions

Easy

Stallion

I wrote this piece for the 2024 Aiken County Honor Band Clinic. When deciding what to write, I drew inspiration from the local area. Aiken is known for its association with horses, so I chose to showcase the different characteristics of these animals in my composition. While there are many “horse” related band pieces out there, they often have a Western theme. For “Stallion,” I aimed to capture the majestic galloping and playful nature of horses. Writing this piece was a lot of fun, and it was even more enjoyable to premiere it at the clinic!
smp $35
​Digital only
pepper $45
​Print or digital

Limestone Fanfare

When my good friend Spencer Nance asked me to conduct one of the bands for the Limestone Honor Band Clinic in 2023, I knew I wanted to write a piece for the occasion as well. In tossing around ideas in my head (and on the piano), I landed on a vibrant fanfare for young band... something that wouldn't be too difficult to put together in two days, but would also be fun to play. It allows for varied articulation, dynamics, and other musical elements, great for kicking off (or finishing) a concert. The premier was quite epic, as the "mega" band had about 140 students playing. Check it out and see if it's something you might enjoy with your ensemble.
smp $35
​Digital only
pepper $45
​print + Digital
persual Score

Down to the River

I will never forget singing the choral arrangement of this tune in high school. We performed it at a local church, all starting outside the sanctuary and processing in slowly, eventually surrounding the audience there for the concert. It was a very moving experience for all. I've always wanted to do a setting of this tune and finally got around to writing one for concert band. This version is very programmatic, attempting to use band instruments to create the sounds and serenity of a flowing river. The tune itself goes through multiple settings, event developing some new themes along the way. We premiered this arrangement in November 2023 with what I called a "mega band" of 140 middle schoolers. It was a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy this setting of the classic folk song. 
smp $40
pepper $45
perusal score
baritone tc part

Clarinets do need to use low "E" in this arrangement, so make sure to check out this register stretching video work down it.
​The video on the left is clarinets only and the video on the right is full ensemble.

Adagio

​Adagio is an poignant band piece for young musicians. With sweeping sweeping melodies and lush chords, this piece is great for teaching students to play expressively. With a comfortable range throughout, students can really get beyond the notes focusing on the phrasing and flow of the piece. Adagio would be a great addition to a program of any season, and adds good contrast to the lively, fast, and loud pieces.
buy on smp $30
Buy on Pepper $40
perusal score

My Country, Tis' of Thee

My Country, Tis' of Thee is an Americana classic. This arrangement/rhapsody takes the tune and imagines it in multiple contexts, written for the typical second to third year players. After a robust introduction, the melody is broken apart in variety of contexts, allowing woodwind and brass moments. The piece then culminates to a full ensemble tutti of the full tune, almost hymn-like. This piece would be a great addition to any concert and possible assemblies/performances honoring those who have served (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc).
SMP $30
Pepper $40
perusal Score

Folk Song Chorales

This music is a set of warm-up chorales for concert band, offering variety when warming up one's band. Bach is the standard when it comes to chorales, and folk song chorales can add a new melodies and harmonies to the fundamentals taught during warm-up. In arranging these chorales, harmonies more idiomatic to the modern day concert band scoring are used, especially at the Grade II/III level. The folk songs included are Loch Lomond, The Parting Glass, Slumber My Darling, and Scarborough Fair.
smp $30
Pepper $40

Flexible Instrumentation Pieces

So these are from my "Adaptable Quintet" series. They're basically flex-band-type tunes because they're all written SSATB.
The best part is that they're quintet prices and not band prices... so enjoy for only $5 or $6. 
Purchase on SMP - $5
SMP - $5
smp - $5
purchase on smp - $4
SMP $5
lots more adaptable quintets here

Adaptable Duets

Make sure you hop over to the Adaptable Duets section to start implementing chamber music into your program. Chamber music can be essential to developing young players' rhytmic and musical independence. I have a whole series of adaptable duets (beginner to difficult) to help make it easy for your students to play duets. Below are some examples:
Adaptable duets page
​
​click here

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The Blog
  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
    • Rhythm Masterclass
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Concert Band - MA
    • Concert Band - A
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Brass Quintet
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
      • Adaptable Quintets - Hymns & Religious
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band Shows
    • Marching Band Extra >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
      • Clarinet Choir
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
      • Brass Quintet
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Framework Fundamentals
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Marching Band Warm Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
      • Haunted
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals >
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation Toolbox
    • Scales and Technique >
      • Crush Your Scales
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center >
      • Jazz Basics
    • Improvisation
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Bonus Content
    • Cinematic Warm-Ups Sets
    • Seasonal Warm-Ups
    • Cinematic Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact