Photo by Charlie Grosso

5. OK then, how does this work?




Answer: Yes, that would work fine.






Answer: Yes, you can do that.





10. So, any combination of any instruments?






12. So I can get creative then?



13. So, everybody plays all the time then?


















19. Where can I find the adaptable band music?



20. And I see you also have works for flex band. Is that different?

Yes. The Adaptable Band music requires a minimum of ANY four players (plus optional percussion).

The Flex Band/Flex Orchestra music requires a minimum of 5 – 6 players, which must include both treble and bass instruments (plus optional percussion).

Want learn how other composers are creating such works? Visit the creative repertoire


NEW 21. What about conductor scores for contest?

Answer: Print as many as you like for the judges. No extra charge. You can print them for your friends too, that's fine!






Lawrence A. Johnson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reviewing

 Symphony. No. 2 for concert band




VIRTUAL SCORES & RECORDINGS:  Concert band  /  Orchestra




Frank Ticheli’s New

Adaptable & Flex Band & Orchestra Series

Exclusively available as Instant PDF downloads


Click here for sample pages & To order


NEW: AMAZING GRACE - for flex band or flex orchestra with optional vocals

IN C-DORIAN - for 3 to 300 players, or singers

CAJUN FOLK SONGS: BELLE - for adaptable band

EARTH SONG - for flex band or flex orchestra

JOY - for adaptable band

LOCH LOMOND - for flex band or flex orchestra, arr. Robert J. Ambrose

PORTRAIT OF A CLOWN - for adaptable band

SIMPLE GIFTS: FOUR SHAKER SONGS - for adaptable band

VESUVIUS - for flex band or flex orchestra















Some ways to use Adaptable music:




• Just 4 players? Assign the 4 parts, and then vary the assignment of parts so that each player tries out playing the melody, an inner line, and bass.


• More than 4 players? Have fun varying the orchestration: Who doubles? Who tacets — when do players drop out & in?


• Fewer than 4 players? Experiment with duets and trios.


• Players insecure? Have all play the same voice, together.




• Phone apps are available to create a virtual ensemble of any number of voices.


• 4 people can play 4 parts and then multitrack more parts (record more voices).


• For only 2 players, try voice 1 (melody) and voice 4 (bass line). A single player could multitrack all 4 parts (or two players could record two parts each).

The Atlantic Reed Consort in a live

(and socially distanced) performance

of In C-Dorian


1. What is Adaptable Band — and why now?



2. How can that be?








Key differences between Adaptable and Flex:


Adaptable arrangements (the more flexible of the two types) require only 4 instruments—moreover, these can be any four instruments. Thus, each adaptable arrangement becomes a collection of quartets for any 4 (or more) instruments. This means, for example, a sectional rehearsal can play the entire work with only flutes, or only trumpets, and so on. You can also "mix and match," e.g., flute and clarinet on voice 1, alto sax and trumpet on voice 2, tenor sax on voice 3, trombone and/or tuba on voice 4. The number of possibilities is virtually endless. Adaptable arrangements are especially useful if your instrumentation varies or is uncertain, or if you just want to have fun playing a familiar work with only 4 (or many more) players, and for creating virtual ensembles. And, hard to believe but true: every instrument has at its disposal all 4 voices. (Percussion is  optional and included.) But:


Flex arrangements require a range of at least 5 or 6 instruments, starting (for example) with flute, or clarinet, or trumpet, etc., at the treble end -- down to (for example) bass clarinet, or trombone, or euphonium, or tuba, at the bass end. This can result in a fuller sound that is closer to an original arrangement for full band. Flex might be less useful for sectional rehearsals than adaptable. If you have a small band with, let's say, a weird assortment of instruments (e.g., 10 clarinets, 1 trombone, and so on), you may find adaptable gives you greater freedom to balance the sound. But if your small band is more reasonably arrayed, flex will get you to a full band sound quicker and with less experimentation. And if you are an orchestra, flex is the only way to go. (Again, percussion is optional and included.)


We have corrected certain parts (Free downloads here)

National Chamber Winds, Robert J. Ambrose, conductor in a virtual performance synchronized by click track.