The Heart Within

Commissioned by Cedar Park HS | Cedar Park, TX
Inquire about this Show!

Audio Coming Soon!

“Heart-Shaped Box”, by Kurt Cobain
“Allegro Molto”, from String Quartet No. 5, by Béla Bartók
“Adagietto”, from Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor, by Gustav Mahler
“The End of Love”, by Florence Welch & Tobias Jesso

Percussion & Sound Design by Andrew Markworth

Program Coordination by Jeremy Spicer

*All percussion music and sound design are sold separately and are not included in any purchase.

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.

What is included in each show

  • Adaptation of woodwind and brass music to fit your band
  • Thoughtful edits based on your instrumentation, needed ranges, and featureable soloists.
  • Clean, rehearsal-ready PDF scores and parts
  • A personalized audio mockup of your version of the show
  • Notation files (Dorico + MusicXML) for rehearsal prep

This process provides custom marching band arrangements built around your students — not generic parts meant to work “well enough” for everyone.

❌ What’s not included in each show 

  • Percussion arrangements
  • Sound design / electronics
  • Copyright licensing fees for your selected repertoire
  • Creatively driven recomposition or new thematic material
  • Writing entirely new music beyond the scope of adaptation

Percussion and sound design can be sourced from collaborators you hear in the catalog or commissioned separately. Fully original, custom shows fall outside this scope and can be discussed separately.

This is custom marching band show design without starting from scratch — thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in how bands actually rehearse and perform.

How It Works

Pick your music!  Choose a complete show or mix-and-match movements from different shows to create the marching band show that best suits your vision!  Let me know what you're interested in, and I'd be delighted to provide you with perusal scores so you can have a closer look!

Don't worry about difficulty!  Once selected, we'll work together to tailor the challenges of your music to your band's unique size and strengths.  By the time I deliver your music, you'll feel like it was made just for you!

Reserve your music!  Reach out to me to let me know what you're looking for!  I'll make sure your marching band show is available in your region. Then, we'll work together to get the ball rolling on payments, copyright, and more.

Tell me about your band!  I will ask you a variety of questions about your band to better understand how I can modify and adapt your music to suit your ensemble. I will specifically inquire about changing soloists, instrumentation, and difficulty during key moments.

Relax!  Once licenses are obtained and payments are handled, I'll dive in and fine-tune your arrangements to ensure they're a perfect fit for your marching band!

Additional Information

 

All works listed are copyrighted by their respective copyright owners and will require licensing prior to the creation of music for your ensemble.  Copyright fees are not included in the price of music and must be obtained by the client prior to the creation of any music.

 

Clients will receive a PDF score and individual parts for winds, including limited cues for percussion, along with Dorico/XML files to pass on to your percussion arranger, and an audio recording.

 

Percussion arrangements and sound design may be available directly from the originally commissioned collaborator.  Contact information is often available on the show page for which their work is represented, but may also be obtained from Evan by request.

 

Efforts are made to ensure regional exclusivity for commissioned music arrangements during the competitive season for which music is commissioned.  Exclusivity cannot be guaranteed for other creative elements not provided by Evan, including percussion music, sound design, show title, or visual production elements.

 

When commissioning the adaptation of a full show, it is strongly recommended that clients contact the original visual designers—such as program coordinators, drill designers, and aesthetic designers—if they wish to incorporate the original vision into their production. Please note that reproducing drill, scene design, flag design, costume design, and other visual elements without the explicit permission of the creators infringes on their copyrights.

What makes my marching band shows different?

Drawing from my experience as a band director, my educational background, and active involvement in the marching arts...

Music is composed to align seamlessly with the band's skill level. To put it simply, if I wouldn't want to teach it, I won't write it! The scores and parts come to you already "pre-cleaned", so your students can sound great from the very first read!

Music is written with fundamental concepts in mind and instrument-specific challenges considered. The “little” details make the “big difference”. Things like choosing keys that put students in good ranges, and on more “in-tune” notes. Things like avoiding the throat tones on clarinets. Things like writing woodwind (and brass) technique that, while might sound challenging, are written to use very playable fingerings. Things like considering the lengths of phrases played, and how often students need to breathe!

Music is always delivered on time. No exceptions. The last thing you need is the stress of waiting on your show. You're already spinning enough plates as it is!

Music will be in your hands with plenty of time for the rest of your design team to do their thing. Once you have the core of your musical product, you can share it with the rest of your design team at an early stage. As the marching arts increasingly prioritize the visual coordination of your show, it is now more important than ever to ensure your visual designers are set up for success!

When you choose to commission an arrangement from me, I’ll be here to make it right for you – no matter what.  From the moment your idea is born until the final performance, I'll be by your side to adjust, tweak, help, suggest, and edit your musical program. Together, we'll strive for maximum achievement and effectiveness.

evan vandoren music composer

Ready to take the next step?

If you’d like to explore whether one of these shows is a good fit for your program, start by listening through the catalog and requesting perusal scores. Let’s build a show your students can own — and your program can be proud of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these marching band shows be customized for my instrumentation?

Yes — I customize every show to fit your ensemble’s exact strengths and needs. I know every high school band looks different: some have powerhouse brass sections, while others shine in woodwinds or percussion. If your ensemble is missing certain instruments or has an unusual balance, I’ll re-score parts so your students sound confident and full. I can adjust difficulty levels, redistribute voices, and ensure that no section feels left out. My goal is for your band to take the field with a marching band show that feels like it was written specifically for them — because in many ways, it will be.

Are these shows suitable for competitive marching band contests?

Absolutely. Every show I write is designed with contest performance in mind. I’ve worked with programs that compete at local festivals, UIL events, and Bands of America regionals, and I understand how adjudicators evaluate both music and effect. Each of my marching band shows includes moments of clarity, contrast, and pacing that judges look for, while also staying accessible to your students. Whether your band is aiming for captions, division placements, or just to take a big step forward competitively, I’ll ensure the music supports your goals. At the same time, I never lose sight of student experience — because great contest results come from students who love what they’re performing.

How do I request a show for my band?

It’s easy to get started. Simply fill out the form on this page and let me know which marching band shows caught your eye, or what kind of musical direction you’d like to explore. Once I receive your message, I’ll personally reach out to learn more about your program — your instrumentation, your student strengths, and your goals for the season. From there, I’ll recommend the best options and explain how I can customize the music for you. If you’d like, we can schedule a short call so you can ask questions directly. My process is designed to be simple, collaborative, and efficient, so you can focus on leading your students while I take care of the music.

How much do your marching band shows cost?

The cost for a marching band show adaptation is $3,000.

That includes all woodwind and brass music, fully adapted to your ensemble, as well as the entire collaborative process described above.

To put that number in context: some programs spend a few hundred dollars on music each year. Others spend tens — or even hundreds — of thousands on a single production. There’s no single “right” choice.

This option sits in the middle.

You’re getting proven music, thoughtful adaptation, and direct access to an experienced arranger and former band director.

How long does it take to receive the music once I’ve chosen a show?

Delivery timelines vary depending on the level of edits and customization required. For many directors, one of the biggest benefits of choosing from my existing marching band shows is the speed — you can get access to a fully scored show much faster than starting a new commission. If we’re making adjustments for instrumentation or difficulty level, I’ll work with you to set a realistic timeline. In most cases, you’ll have what you need well before summer rehearsals begin, so your students can start learning with confidence.

How do these shows keep students engaged throughout the season?

Student engagement is always at the heart of what I do. I remember what it’s like to be a director trying to keep rehearsals energized week after week. That’s why every one of my marching band shows includes music that students enjoy playing and audiences enjoy hearing. From catchy motifs to dramatic build-ups and memorable finales, the writing is designed to keep energy high across the season. When students connect emotionally with their show, they rehearse harder, perform better, and carry those positive memories with them long after the season ends.

Can I combine music from different shows to create something unique?

Yes — directors often choose to mix and match from different marching band shows in my library. I can blend selections seamlessly, rework transitions, and make sure the final product feels cohesive. This approach is especially helpful for bands that want something fresh while still taking advantage of proven music. Think of it as a hybrid option: you get music you know will work on the field, but shaped into a show that’s uniquely yours.