How to Train Your Dragon

John Powell

Subtitle: Music from the Motion Picture

General Info

Year: 2010
Duration: c. 5:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00 | Score Only (print) - $15.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Field Drum
Low Toms (3)
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Triangle

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The film score for this hit movie features magnificent adventure themes along with hints of Celtic influences. Sean O'Loughlin's expertly scored arrangement include the themes Coming Back Around, Dragon Battle, Test Drive, and This Is Berk.

- Program Note from publisher

How to Train Your Dragon is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated action-fantasy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Loosely based on the British book series of the same name by Cressida Cowell, the film stars the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, among others.

The story takes place in a mythical Viking world where a young Viking teenager named Hiccup aspires to follow his tribe's tradition of becoming a dragon slayer. After finally capturing his first dragon, and with his chance at last of gaining the tribe's acceptance, he finds that he no longer wants to kill the dragon and instead befriends it.

- Program Note from Wikipedia

Embark on a vibrant adventure with John Powell's How to Train Your Dragon, a highly energetic and original score that will ensure you are treated to a fabulous listening experience.

“We looked at all the folk music from the Nordic areas. And I'm [Jon Powell] part Scottish and grew up with a lot of Scottish folk music, so that came into it a lot. And Celtic music was something that Jeffrey Katzenberg felt had this very attractive quality to it, and sweetness, that he thought would be wonderful for the film.”

This fantastic arrangement for band by Sean O’Loughlin recreates all the inspiration from the movie. Its sweeping melodies and bombastic fanfares transport its listeners to an ancient Viking village, swarmed with dragons! Featuring: This Is Berk and Coming Back Around.

- Program Note from University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire University Band concert program, 26 November 2018

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Coastal Communities Concert Band (San Diego, Calif.) (Tom Cole, conductor) – 23 May 2021
St. Lawrence University (Canton, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Theresa Whitmer, conductor) – 16 April 2019
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire University Band (Randal C. Dickerson, conductor) – 26 November 2018
Amador County Concert Band (Pine Grove, Calif.) (Steve Chambers, conductor) - 12 August 2018
Brentwood (Calif.) Concert Band (Carey Hurst, conductor) – 10 June 2017
Lower Moreland High School (Huntingdon Valley, Penn.) Symphonic Band (Erin Stroup, conductor) - 2017

Works for Winds by This Composer

Chicken Run: Main Titles (with Gregson-Williams; arr. Murtha)
Romantic Flight from "How to Train Your Dragon''
How to Train Your Dragon (arr. O'Loughlin) (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon (arr. Van Grevenbroek) (2010/2017)
Kung Fu Panda (with Zimmer; arr. Hjortenhammar) (2008-11/2016)
Selections from "Save El Dorado"
"Shrek" Soundtrack Highlights (arr. Moss) (2001)
Story of Mumble Happy Feet, The (arr. Bullock) (2007)
Symphonic Suite from Rio (arr. Rozendom) (2011/2014)

Resources

How to Train Your Dragon (film), Wikipedia Accessed 28 June 2017
Powell, J.; O'Loughlin, S. (2010). How to Train Your Dragon: Music from the Motion Picture [score]. Hal Leonard: Milwaukee, Wisc.