An Irish Rhapsody - Clare Grundman

First published in 1971, An Irish Rhapsody has become a staple in the literature for young concert bands. It demonstrates Clare Grundman's mastery of orchestration and exceptional treatment of transitions and pacing. Including thefolk melodies The Morren (Minstrel Boy), I Know Where I'm Going, Shepher's Lamb Reel, Cockles and Mussels, The Rakes of Mallow and Kathleen O'More, it is just as fresh-sounding and effective today as it was more than 30 years ago!(Grade 3) (6:45) Recorded by the North Texas Wind Symphony - Eugene Corporon, conductor. Teaching Music through Performance in Band, Vol. 2, Grade 2-3 Reference Recordings, CD-466. Used with permission from GIA Publications, Inc.

An Irish suite - Trevor Ford

An Irish Tale

Based on the folk song While History's Muse (subtitled Air: Paddy Whack), this delightful arrangement in 3/4 has all the characteristics of a lighthearted Irish dance. A tambourine and clarinet drone set the stage for the flute melody that is eventually passed throughout the ensemble. A key change to E= builds until the piece returns to the lighthearted style of the opening one last time. Great writing for young bands! (1:55)

An Irish Tribute

Symphonic Band (score & parts). Conley, L

An Irving Berlin Christmas - Irving Berlin

An October Sky - Barry Milner

An Old English Christmas

Here is a creative treatment of traditional carols that is destined to become a holiday favorite for years to come. Includes: The Boar's Head Carol as a reccurring theme with What Child Is This?, Coventry Carol and the lesser known gem Somerset Wassail. A truly exceptional work.

An Old MacDonald Suite - John Kinyon

An Old Swedish Hymn

Klaas van der Woude has based his arrangement An Old Swedish Hymn on an old pastoral hymn from Dalarna. This beautiful melody even attracted ABBA as they used it as the opening music for some of their concerts. Van der Woude's arrangement is in classical style making it suitable for any occasion.

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An Olympic Celebration - Robert Buckley

An Olympic Celebration is a tribute to the pursuit of excellence and the triumph of the human spirit. This piece was commissioned by The West Vancouver Youth Band for the build up to the 2010 Winter Olympics. The initial "festive fanfare", based on open fifths moving in contrary motion, brings the athletes out into the arena. This leads to the "parade of the athletes" theme. Then comes the establishment of the "heroic theme" in the woodwinds and horns - moving through different sections - until the transition, with an alto saxophone solo and an oboe solo, leading into the "flashback" section. Here we go into the minds of the athletes and the internal and physical struggles thathave brought them to this place. The melody is epic; rich in feeling and full of heart. This moves through various moods until the introduction of the "challenge" theme; a theme stated by the horns and trombones, which passes through the different sections of the band. A restatement of the "flashback" theme, this time triumphant, takes us to a final fanfare of celebration and jubilation.

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