Compositions for Band
I have listed information about State lists, performances, etc. to the best of my knowledge PLEASE feel free to contact me with any corrections or additional information. Thank you! Christina
Dark Star
Grade 1
Excelcia Music Publishing
The low brass and low woodwinds are brought right to the fore in this driving and high-energy original work. Young brass players will have the opportunity to expand their lower range, and lots of great percussion scoring will make this a concert favorite!
2022 Bandworld "Top 100"
2022 JW Pepper Editor's Choice
2022 Stanton's Sheet Music 5-Star Feature
State Music Evaluation Lists- GA-1, NC-1, SC-1, VA-1
The Forge
Grade 1
Excelcia Music Publishing
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- GA-1, OMEA- Jr. High Band C
Optional metal trash cans and cool trombone glissandos make this work a rocking good time for students and audience alike! You will think back to the Song of the Hammersmith when you hear this! A minor melody and darker mood combined with the metallic sounds of percussion will be an exciting grouping for your students!
Brace for Impact
Grade 1.5
Excelcia Music Publishing
A driving and high-intensity work from start to finish. Comfortable ranges along with excellent use of repetition and unison rhythms make this piece highly accessible and will have your young band sounding full and mature. A hot percussion feature adds to the excitement. This high-octane gem is the perfect opener or closer to your concert program!
2023 Midwest Band & Orchestra Performance - Arbor Creek MS Band
2022 Bandworld "Top 100"
2022 UGA Midfest Performance- East Cobb MS Honors Band
State Music Evaluation Lists- AR- 1, IN-Group 4, NC-2, TX-1, VA-2
Forevermore
Grade 2
Excelcia Music Publishing
2022 Midwest Band & Orchestra Performance -
O'Fallon HS Band
Dedicated to her graduating senior class, Forevermore by composer Christina Huss is a heartfelt and meaningful new addition to the band repertoire. A wonderful introduction to lyrical playing, this piece would work well as a tribute piece or on any program. Beginning with a sax melody and well-scored low voices, the orchestration of this work is effectively used throughout. You will also find some good lines for your mallet players. Program something thoughtful like this beautiful work!
Bamboo Warrior
Grade 3
Excelcia Music Publishing
Inspired by the musical culture of the Far East, this dramatic work for band utilizes the full range of the concert band with highly dramatic scoring including lush, full, and beautiful lyrical moments contrasted with driving, aggressive, and powerful motifs. Powerhouse percussion scoring including taiko drums puts it over the edge.
2024 GMEA All-State Band Performance- River Trail MS Band
2023 UGA Midfest Performance - River Trail MS Band
2022 Bandworld "Top 100"
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- MD-3, MN-3, NC-3, VA-4
A Song For Peace
Grade 2
Excelcia Music Publishing
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- GA-3
“Song for Peace” is a stirring, uplifting original composition for young band designed to transport both performer and listener on a moving journey of peace. From beginning to end, this warm and expressive piece features various musical qualities, including beautiful melodies, tempo and key changes, solo passages, and a powerful impact that will be sure to stir both performers and audiences alike. Thoughtfully woven with the serene American Folk Song “I’ve Got Peace Like A River”, this moving ballad from composer Christina Huss checks all the boxes for your next band concert.
Scarborough Fantasy
Grade 2
Christina Huss & R. Alan Carter
Carl Fischer Music Publishing
Scarborough Fantasy is a hauntingly beautiful composition for band, featuring exquisitely original and traditional melodies with lush harmonic construction. Beginning in the very playable G minor, this piece flows beautifully into C minor for a stirring and emotional key change. Filled with multiple musical opportunities and teachable moments, this inspiring work from composers Christina Huss and R. Alan Carter features a variety of sections in a modern take on a timeless classic.
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- FL-2, GA-3
Of Lochs and Thistles
Grade 2
Randall Standridge Music
“Of Lochs and Thistles” is a stirring, lyrical composition for band written in the spirit of the Appalachian folk song. Composer Christina Huss has interwoven original melodies and lush harmonies with the traditional Scottish folk song, “Loch Lomond” as a musical homage to the early pioneers of the Appalachian mountains. Filled with countless musical and teaching opportunities, this work features most every section in the band with tuneful melodies and beautiful musical moments.
2023 Midwest Band & Orchestra Performance- Cooper MS Band
2023 Bandworld "Top 100"
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- GA-3, VA-3?
As Spirits Soar
Grade 2
Randall Standridge Music
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
Soaring melodies and tons of energetic rhythms are the heart of “As Spirits Soar”, an exciting new work from composer Christina Huss. With plenty of percussion parts to go around, this thrilling musical adventure is strengthened by multiple layers of melodies and countermelodies, and gives plenty of interest and teachable opportunities to the entire band. Written in the key of Bb, this piece utilizes contrasting styles, melodies, articulations, dynamics, and techniques- all within reach of young players. A great choice for an opener or closer for your next concert, your band is sure enjoy this lively and imaginative musical journey.
Operation Super Sleuth
Grade 2
Randall Standridge Music
Utilizing a variety of musical effects and techniques, “Operation Super-Sleuth” has captured the excitement and feel of the spy-themed music of the 60s and 70s. Written in the very playable key of C minor, nearly every section in the band gets in on the fun as your young musicians/secret agents take on the latest mission of espionage and intrigue. Composer Christina Huss has included a variety of familiar spy sounding thematic material to make this journey a fun, exciting one. There are plenty of interesting percussion parts to go around, and it is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next band concert.
2023 Midwest Band & Orchestra Performance- Keller MS Band
2023 Bandworld "Top 100"
Stanton's Five Star Feature
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
State Music Evaluation Lists- GA-3, VA-3?
As a River Flows
Grade 3
Christina Huss & R. Alan Carter
Excelcia Music Publishing
This salute to Americana is a gorgeous ballad based on several folk songs about rivers. Flowing lyrical lines, rich harmonic language, and sonorous chorale scoring drive this composition to a wonderful peak of all of the themes combined before settling into a pleasing conclusion.
Anthem for Freedom
Grade 3
Christina Huss & R. Alan Carter
Excelcia Music Publishing
Perfect for patriotic concerts, this work features the melody Chester interwoven with original melodies and developed into a musical battle march! This is a wonderful tribute with beautiful writing for all sections of the ensemble.
OuttaTime!
Grade 1.5
Excelcia Music Publishing
With plenty of percussion parts to keep your young percussionists busy, “Outta Time!” is an exciting, up-tempo work designed to keep your entire young band both interested and engaged while showing off every ensemble in the band! Written in the very playable C minor, this piece utilizes contrasting styles, articulations, melodies, and dynamics, all within reach of young players. Scored over an exciting variety of driving rhythms, “Outta Time!” imaginatively creates the musical setting of someone quickly running out of time. A great choice for an opener or closer for your next concert, young bands are sure enjoy this imaginative, spirited rhythmic journey.
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
Dragon Slide
Grade 1
Excelcia Music Publishing
JW Pepper Editor's Choice
“Dragon Slide” is an exciting, novelty number for young band written to feature the “Dare Devils of the Slide”, the trombone section of the band! But with melodies spread out among the various sections of the band, and a nice supply of percussion instruments designed to keep your aspiring percussionists busy, everyone gets in on the action! Written in and around the C minor pentatonic scale and flavored with just a hint of the Far East, the “Slide” offers many musical opportunities and teachable moments and will surely entertain both students and audiences alike.
Remembering Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
Grade 3.5/4
R. Alan Carter & Christina Huss
Carl Fischer Music
Written to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, this stirring tribute honors the heroes of December 7, 1941. Beginning with chimes signifying the hour of the attack, the composition takes listeners and performers on a moving journey from the precarious moments before the attack, through the air strike, and on to its devasting aftermath. Including statements of Anchors Aweigh; Taps; Eternal Father, Strong to Save and fragments of many American tunes, use this composition to teach about American history and the resilience of all mankind.