The Red Planet is an original concert piece in 5/4 time for a band with at least one year’s training. Joseph Compello's intriguing new work depicts the planet Mars in 5/4 time, giving the work an uneven, exciting feel. The opening section is bold and aggressive, and this piece explores a variety of moods throughout its duration. This, along with the lyrical pseudo sci-fi sound, will make The Red Planet a big hit with students. As a bonus, Compello included a fugato section to help introduce students to contrapuntal music.