Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

Ready to take the next step?

Listen through the catalog, pick a show (or a few movements you like), and send me a note about your band. I'll tell you honestly whether it's a good fit and what adapting it would involve.

Connect with Evan!

Connect with Evan!

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

The post New Marching Band Show for 2027: “The Heart Within” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

The Sound of Trust

Every fall, directors everywhere face one big question: What show are we going to do this year? It’s exciting, and a little terrifying, because the right show can energize your students and define your season, while the wrong one can make you dread every rehearsal.

I’ve been in your shoes. Before I started VanDoren Music, I was a high school band director. I remember the late nights searching for the perfect chart, wondering whether the music would arrive on time, and hoping it would sound as good on the field as it did in my head.

Today, more than 136 directors nationwide have given VanDoren Music a five-star review. That tells me something simple: directors want reliability, collaboration, and confidence, not just notes on a page.

Browse Marching Band Shows →

Reliability Isn’t Optional. It’s the Foundation.

Band directors live by the calendar. There’s no “push this deadline” when contest season is staring you in the face. That’s why reliability isn’t a selling point for me, it’s a promise. As a result, my clients get their music on time or early, because I’d rather stay up late than make you wait.

“Evan delivers early, communicates clearly, and makes our job ten times easier.”

“Having Evan on board gives me peace of mind that our show will always sound its best.”

When you stop worrying about deadlines, you can focus on what matters most: your students and your sound.

Music That Makes Bands Sound Bigger and Better

The best compliment I can get is: “Our band sounded bigger than ever this year.” That’s not magic, it’s design. I write to your strengths so your students sound confident and mature, no matter your size or experience level.

“His orchestrations are brilliantly thoughtful and allow the ensemble to achieve maximum clarity and sonority.”

“The music sounds more difficult than it actually is.”

So, great writing stretches an ensemble just enough to grow without crushing confidence, and the goal is simple: give students room to win.

Collaboration That Feels Effortless

From our first conversation, I ask detailed questions: instrumentation, story, goals, and the moments you want to create. Then I stay involved, through edits, adjustments, and check-ins as the season unfolds.

“He answers every email like we’re his only client.”

“He checks in during the season and makes edits on the fly.”

“Working with VanDoren Music is stress-free.”

I don’t want our work to feel transactional. Instead, I want it to feel like we’re co-creating something your students will remember for the rest of their lives.

Student Success Comes First

Every chart starts with one question: How will this feel for the kids? If they’re not lit up by the music, nothing else matters. Directors tell me my shows reignite motivation and make rehearsals fun again. That’s the best feedback I can get.

“The music was engaging from the first read-through to the final performance. Students were proud to play it.”

When students love what they’re playing, they rehearse better, perform stronger, and grow faster.

Building Programs Through Partnership

One thing that makes me proud is how many directors come back year after year. Those long-term partnerships are where the real magic happens, the same trust I write about in the mentorship advantage that keeps band directors improving.

“We’ve been using Evan for three years, total game changer.”

“He’s arranged for us since 2017. We’ll be using him for years to come.”

When I work with a program over multiple seasons, I start to really understand the DNA of that ensemble, their instrumentation, their personalities, their sound. Because of that, I can push creative boundaries while still writing something that fits like a glove.

From Small Schools to National Finalists

It doesn’t matter if your band is 35 winds or 200. Every program deserves music that helps them shine, the same payoff I get into in 10 life-changing benefits of marching band.

“Our 3A band sounded like a 6A finalist. The kids couldn’t believe it.”

That’s the joy of arranging, to help ensembles sound bigger than they are.

At the same time, I’ve had the privilege to write for nationally recognized programs like Santa Clara Vanguard, Cedar Park HS, and Rouse HS. These experiences keep me connected to the cutting edge of design while never losing sight of what matters most: clear writing, student growth, and emotional storytelling.

The Philosophy Behind My Writing

When I sit down to write a new show, I think like a teacher first and a composer second. I want every player to have a meaningful musical role, and I want every impact moment to earn its volume. Above all, I want every melody to make students feel proud.

To me, great design isn’t about complexity, but about clarity and connection.

“Evan’s writing gives every student a chance to shine while serving the story.”

“His music tells a story the audience can feel.”

136 Voices, One Message in These Marching Band Show Reviews

When I look through all 136 reviews, the themes repeat again and again:

• Communication
• Reliability
• Collaboration
• Student engagement
• Peace of mind

That’s not coincidence, but rather the culture I’ve worked to build. I’m grateful for every director who’s trusted me to bring their vision to life. I know what it means to hand someone your fall season and say, “Here, write the soundtrack for our students’ memories.” That’s not a job. It’s a responsibility.

Let’s Build Your Next Show

If you’re planning next season, or just exploring new ideas, I’d love to talk. Whether you’re looking for a proven show from the catalog, like Frozen in Time, or something brand new, I’ll help you find the perfect fit.

You can browse my full catalog of marching band shows or build your own custom production.

Your music will arrive on time, sound incredible, and make your season easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are your shows different from other pre-written marching band shows?
Every show in my catalog started as a custom commission: it was originally written for a real ensemble and refined through real performances. Because of that, each one can be adapted to your instrumentation, skill level, and story.

Can you tailor a show to fit my smaller band?
Absolutely. Many of my happiest clients are smaller programs. I re-orchestrate each show to make sure your students sound full, balanced, and confident, without over-writing or watering things down.

What if I need the music quickly?
I understand deadlines. That’s why every agreement includes a clear delivery schedule, and I’m proud to say I’ve never missed one. Most directors receive their full score and parts ahead of schedule.

Do you offer edits or in-season support?
Yes. I stay involved throughout your season. If you need an edit, balance adjustment, or voicing tweak, I handle it personally. My job isn’t finished when the PDFs arrive. Instead, it’s finished when you perform with confidence.

More on Booking and Support

Can I mix and match movements from different shows?
Of course. Directors often combine movements to create something unique. I’ll make sure transitions, keys, and pacing work seamlessly.

How do I get started?
Visit evanvandoren.com/marchingbandshows to browse, listen, and request perusal scores. Once you’ve found something that excites you, we’ll talk details, timeline, and customizations to make it yours.

How much do your marching band shows cost?
Pricing varies depending on whether you’re licensing an existing show or commissioning a new one. But every project includes my personal involvement, full customization, and ongoing support.

Can you help my team choose the right show?
Yes. I’ve helped hundreds of directors find a show that fits their vision, students, and schedule. If you’re unsure, I’ll guide you toward something that aligns with your ensemble’s strengths and goals.

Band directors choose VanDoren Music because they want more than charts. They want clarity, dependability, and heart.

Browse Marching Band Shows →

About Evan VanDoren

Evan VanDoren is a composer, arranger, conductor, and former high school band director whose music is performed by ensembles across the United States and beyond. He works with band programs to create music and marching band productions designed around the strengths of their students and programs.

The post Marching Band Show Reviews From 136+ Band Directors appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

Ready to take the next step?

Listen through the catalog, pick a show (or a few movements you like), and send me a note about your band. I'll tell you honestly whether it's a good fit and what adapting it would involve.

Connect with Evan!

Connect with Evan!

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

The post New Marching Band Show for 2027: “Out Of Print: A World Built From Stories” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

Out Of Print: A World Built From Stories

Commissioned by Rouse HS | Leander, TX

Every story starts somewhere, and this one starts on the page. Houses, trees, and gates rise from layered book pages as an entire storybook world builds itself across the field, moving through conflict and discovery toward one familiar ending. Happily ever after, built one page at a time.

The Heart Within

Commissioned by Cedar Park HS | Cedar Park, TX

Underneath the noise, something keeps beating, refusing to fade. This is a journey into the dark — not to escape it, but to find what’s been waiting there all along, where ink spreads, pressure builds, and a single red line finally breaks through. Darkness clears. What remains is unmistakably human.

Dark Star, Bright Star

Commissioned by Shijonawate Gakuen HS | Daito City, Osaka, Japan

Every star holds two forces in perfect balance — the quiet pull of gravity and the brilliant push of light, each depending on the other to exist at all. Neither one wins, because neither is meant to. What emerges is a kind of harmony found only in tension, dark and bright sustaining each other across the endless dark.

Drawn Together

Commissioned by Reedy HS | Frisco, TX

A blank page is never really empty — it’s full of everything that hasn’t happened yet. This show lives inside that space: pencil marks that wander, sketches that shift and self-correct, ideas caught mid-scribble before they become something real. Playful, unfinished, and alive with possibility, every line leads somewhere new.

Get To The Point

Commissioned by Waxahachie HS | Waxahachie, TX

Motion without direction is just noise. This show starts there — arrows pointing everywhere at once, energy with nowhere to land — and narrows, phrase by phrase, until everything condenses into one unmistakable point. Precision replaces chaos, and nothing arrives until it’s earned.

Luna

Commissioned by Wylie HS | Wylie, TX

The moon doesn’t ask permission before it changes everything beneath it. Gravity bends, light shifts, and the world tilts under her quiet influence until the night reaches its most controlled, most radiant moment. And when her light finally fades, she doesn’t vanish — she leaves the world different than she found it.

Of Faun and Fable

Commissioned by Clear Lake HS | Houston, TX

At the edge of a forgotten grove, curious and clever inhabitants offer more than they let on. Travelers wander in expecting a simple story, and find instead a place that shifts between playful, alluring, and quietly unkind depending on how closely you’re paying attention. Some places aren’t meant to be understood — only felt.

Sacred Spaces

Commissioned by Wakeland HS | Frisco, TX

Some places don’t announce themselves as important — they just are. This production explores what we choose to hold close, grand or humble, public or deeply personal, and asks what happens when those things start to feel fragile. What’s sacred doesn’t disappear. It changes with us.

The Other Side of Here

Commissioned by Aledo HS | Aledo, TX

Right on the edge of something new, curiosity finally outweighs fear. This show follows that exact moment — stepping away from the familiar and toward something brighter, uncertain, and worth chasing. It’s not about having the answers. It’s about being brave enough to cross over.

Theia’s Light

Commissioned by Argyle HS | Argyle, TX

Before it’s seen, light gathers in the dark, waiting. This production traces that awakening from the first stir of brilliance to a full, radiant reveal, tracking how light exposes truth, beauty, and connection along the way. What starts as anticipation ends in something undeniable.

Chain Reaction

It only takes one. A single spark ignites, and every phrase, every gesture that follows becomes cause for what comes next — nothing happens by accident, nothing stands still. Momentum spreads, pressure builds, reactions multiply, until the ensemble isn’t reacting anymore. It’s driving the system with total control.

Common Threads

Commissioned by Sulphur HS | Sulphur, LA

Separate voices, separate strands — each carrying its own tone, its own weight, standing alone but never quite touching. This show follows what happens when they start to answer each other, when tension gives way to connection and distance becomes direction. What began as many threads becomes one fabric, strong enough to hold.

Frequency Shift

Commissioned by Jefferson Forest HS | Forest, VA

Every system runs on a signal — steady, aligned, unbroken. This show begins there, clean and controlled, before small disruptions creep in and the frequency stops being singular. Color floods the static, distortion becomes identity, and by the end, precision and energy don’t fight each other. They coexist, stronger for having collided.

Hydrodynamics

Commissioned by Panther Creek HS | Frisco, TX

Signal sharpens into current, current pours into ripple, ripple blooms into full, resonant swell. Sharp lines dissolve into liquid shapes; stillness and motion trade places like light shifting across water. Sound catches every angle it moves through, bending, doubling, echoing back on itself. Every texture reflects the same current, seen from somewhere new.

Into the Deep

Commissioned by Port Isabel HS | Port Isabel, TX

Beneath the surface, where sunlight can no longer reach, something learns to make its own light. In the deep, connection isn’t given—it’s built, pulse by pulse, in the dark, until what glows between two things becomes its own kind of proof. The pressure that could crush also creates: shapes shift, forge, and hold their form against everything pressing in. What we build in the depths doesn’t need to be seen to be real.

Terminal Velocity

Commissioned by Langham Creek HS | Houston, TX

We begin on the edge, grounded and compressed, every muscle tense against the pull of the open air. Hesitation gives way to the leap—momentum cascading downward, faster, unstable, relentless, until the fall stops fighting itself and becomes something closer to flight. At the peak of velocity, descent transforms into lift, and what was falling breaks through into something soaring and unstoppable. We do not hit the ground. We fly.

The Shape of Things to Come

Commissioned by Goshen HS | Goshen, IN

Somewhere between broken and whole, geometry starts to move. Rigid shapes drift apart at first—isolated, incomplete, fractured by distance—until small attempts at connection begin to take hold. Structures that once separated start to align, trading isolation for intention, until the pieces finally settle into something unified and unmistakable. What starts in fracture ends in hope, built one brave step at a time.

Viewfinder

Commissioned by Mineola HS | Mineola, TX

Every generation gets its own frame, its own frozen moment worth holding onto. This show moves through time the way a photograph does — capturing an era, then letting it fade into the next, each decade distinct but part of the same unfolding story. What’s past never really leaves. It just waits to be seen again.

What Lies Beneath

Commissioned by Mineola HS | Mineola, TX

It starts on solid ground—confident, ordered, sure of itself—but even here, something pulls us to keep going deeper. The work begins in earnest, resistance building with every push against weight and fatigue, determination hardening into something closer to obsession. Depth brings weight, and what started as ambition becomes pressure we can barely carry, until it finally breaks loose—raw, volatile, impossible to take back. Once uncovered, some things can’t be buried again.

Planning next season?

Plan a show that fits the band you’ll actually have in October.

A 54-page fillable workbook for band directors, from the season debrief to a plan you can hand to any arranger. Start with the free sample.

See the planning guideGet the free sample

The post 19 New Marching Band Shows for 2027! appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

The post New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Frozen in Time” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

The post New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Wayfarers” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

The post New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Through Darkened Streets” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

The post New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Perplex” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

I specialize in creating customizable marching band shows that bring together artistry, student engagement, and competitive success. Over the years, I’ve built a library of previously commissioned field shows and music arrangements that give directors proven options to save time, stay on budget, and keep their students excited. Whether you’re preparing for a regional contest, a Bands of America event, or your Friday night halftime performance, I can tailor these marching band productions to fit your ensemble’s exact needs. My goal is to provide music that combines depth with visual potential, giving your students a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the field.

Let's connect!

Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.  

Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California.  Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.

Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.

The post New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Imagine” appeared first on Evan VanDoren Music.

Luminosities

Luminosities is an electrifying overture for a mature wind ensemble that masterfully encapsulates the mesmerizing vibrance and comforting warmth of light itself. Bursting with triumphant brass fanfares, lively rhythmic exchanges, and vivid color flourishes, this composition promises to set a riveting tone as the opening act of any concert. Echoing a powerful message of hope, this brilliant work will inspire listeners and musicians to radiate their unique light.

Grade 5 | 2:30

Horizons Untold (fanfare for wind band)

Horizons Untold perfectly captures the excitement of possibilities unknown! In crafting this brief concert opener, the goal was to create an inspirational piece that resonates with performers and listeners in various ways. Some may envision a journey, gazing optimistically toward the horizon, while others may feel a sense of celebration. Additionally, the composition may evoke a patriotic sentiment in some. Regardless of personal interpretation, the soaring melodies, bold fanfares, and shimmering flourishes of the piece will captivate and energize the audience, setting the stage for an unforgettable concert experience!

Grade 5 | 1:54 | JWPepper Editor’s Choice Award 2023

Inspirare

Inspirare (Latin for inspire) was commissioned by Robert Herrings and the Vista Ridge High School Band to celebrate the fine arts programs of Leander Independent School District, located just north of Austin, Texas—a community long recognized for its excellence in music, theatre, and visual arts. The title evokes both the academic spirit and creative energy that define the district’s artistic legacy. The Leander ISD Fine Arts motto—Innovate, Ignite, Inspire—serves as the guiding framework for the composition, with the form of the piece unfolding around those three ideals. The final word, Inspire, becomes the emotional centerpiece and the source of the work’s title.

Grade 4 | 5’15” | To order, email Evan at evanvandoren@gmail.com

Prophetic Dances

Fables of those who foretold the future permeate ancient myths, legends, and folklore across cultures and centuries. With methods shrouded in darkened mystery, these oracles held powerful places in ancient societies, pulling on the various threads of power, often with malevolent intent. “Prophetic Dances” creatively captures the enigmatic, zealous, otherworldly nature of these cryptic seers lost to time.

Grade 4 | 6:30

March to the Scaffold, from Symphony Fantastique

“March to the Scaffold” from Hector Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique is a vivid and dramatic musical piece, masterfully transcribed by Evan VanDoren for the modern wind ensemble. Infused with the tones of unrequited love and despair, the symphony tells the story of a lovelorn musician’s opium-induced visions, culminating in the fourth movement where he dreams of his own execution after murdering his beloved. This movement, emanating both somber and brilliant tones, is a testament to Berlioz’s ability to weave narrative into music, offering a thrilling auditory experience that echoes the tumultuous emotions of a tragic love story.

This work was originally commissioned by Vandegrift HS, from Austin, Texas, and premiered at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

Grade 5 | 5:00

Young Band

With Gratitude

With Gratitude is a heartfelt musical letter to those in our lives to whom we want to give thanks.

Before crafting this work, the commissioning director and I wrote letters to our mentors detailing how these key individuals had impacted us in unique and lasting ways. These letters became the musical framework for this piece, aiming to communicate through music what we first aimed to express in words. The title of this work comes from the “signoff” of my letter, a final statement of thanks to the recipient.

As the composer of this work, I dedicate this musical letter of thanks to Robert W. Smith, my composing mentor.  I count myself among the many lucky thousands to have been touched by his mentorship, music, and genuine personal kindness.  

It is my sincere hope that this work provides all who perform, conduct, and listen to it the opportunity to pause and reflect on those who have positively impacted their lives.

Grade 2 | 4:00

Battle Volcano

Battle Volcano is an epic soundtrack encapsulating all that might be heard, seen, and felt when volcanoes attack!  With driving rhythms, edgy chromaticism, and intensity throughout, it’s my hope that students will embrace the battle of creating music that embodies the epic nature of a battle between volcanoes.

Grade 2.5 | 2:00 | JWPepper Editors’ Choice Award 2023

She Loves the Light

Feature the sound and sonority of your young band with this emotional, lyrical work. Colorful harmonies, flowing lines, unique percussive textures, and clever scoring make She Loves the Light an ideal musical tribute for someone special to your program or community.

The composer writes: “She Loves the Light is conceived for and dedicated to my daughter Anna.  As many new parents come to understand, the love felt for your first child at birth is altogether overwhelming, awe-inspiring, terrifying, and more… and something I didn’t even begin to understand until I experienced it for myself.  In the many hours spent holding her in the first weeks of her life, Anna was drawn consistently to light.  It’s true; many infants are attracted to shiny, bright things as they adjust to the new world around them.  But for me, there was something magical about seeing Anna light up when she experienced light catching her eye. This lullaby seeks to capture the wonderment of that moment of light, both what Anna must have felt when experiencing the light, but perhaps more vividly, my sense of awe, love, and hope for the future I continue to feel when I see her light up.”

Note: The title She Loves the Light uses the pronoun “she” to directly refer to the composer’s daughter to whom this piece is dedicated.  However, please feel welcome to adjust this pronoun to whichever may best suit your specific purpose when programming this work.  Additionally, you may find that this concert band piece may be useful in a variety of programmatic circumstances.  The composer welcomes its use for these purposes and more to observe, memorialize, and/or celebrate as you see fit.

Grade 3 | 5:30

A Simple Song at Sunrise

A Simple Song at Sunrise, composed for DCI’s first-ever show featuring all original music, is now available for your concert band. This ballad from “A Florida Suite”, Robert W. Smith’s masterwork, has captivated audiences for decades and will do the same for yours. Envisioned as a sunrise over a Florida beach, Evan VanDoren’s beautifully orchestrated concert band setting truly honors the legacy of the original composer.

Grade 3 | 2’30”

Fanfare for a New Day

“Fanfare for a New Day” captures the excitement and exuberance of the new! Highly playable for a younger band, this brief concert opener provides opportunities to explore lyrical melodies, exciting fanfare figures, and sudden dynamic changes in appropriate settings. You will want to program this attention-getter to start your next concert!

Grade 2.5 | 2:00 | JWPepper Editors’ Choice Award 2021

String Orchestra

Adventure Awaits

Adventure Awaits captures the excitement felt at the start of something new!  The composer writes: “In writing this piece, I found myself imagining the many stories of long journeys told in books, television, movies, and beyond – some fantastical, and some based in reality.  In addition to drawing on these sources of inspiration, I hope performers and audience members alike draw on their own adventurous experiences, recalling those positive feelings at the beginning of exciting personal journeys!”

Grade 3 | 2:00

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