I teach at a small private school with a small band that is lacking in lower pitched instruments, like trombone, tuba, etc. Space Race is a great fit for our band and the students thoroughly enjoy playing it. There are a couple of small changes I would make to the score, though. The score and individual parts don't list a time signature on our copies. I used that to encourage critical thinking with "What's missing in your music?" When they quickly noticed that the time signature was missing I had them figure out that it should be 4/4. The measures aren't numbered either - again easily solved. I have one alto saxophone player, who I put on part 3 to help cover all the parts and create a full band sound. That part includes a couple liw A's below the treble clef staff. The range of an alto sax only extends to low B-flst below the staff. This was also easily solved by having him play those notes up an octave. On the other hand, the percussion parts are very well done and the percussion section thoroughly enjoys playing it, while improving their 16th notes androlls on snare drum. Overall we are really enjoying
playing this piece and look forward to performing it in our spring concert.
