A Festival Chime: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$51.00 USD

A Festival Chime: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: A Festival Chime: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-45767
Price: 51.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Gustav Holst / freely arranged by Douglas E. Wagner

Grade: 1 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-45767

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The third movement of Opus 34 (Three Festival Choruses), which Gustav Holst penned in 1916, was originally scored for chorus with piano, orchestra, or military band. The easily recognized melody is a nineteenth century Welsh ballad, known to most as the hymn tune "St. Denio," set to the words of English poet, Clifford Bax. In 3/4, this characteristically delightful Holst theme has been freely arranged to incorporate elements of his original score with additional material included to heighten musical interest for contemporary concert bands and audiences alike. As the title implies, chimes are an integral part of this arrangement; however, there are alternate options provided in the program notes if a suitable instrument is unavailable. This musical setting is complete with a variety of teaching and performance opportunities and a perfect fit for beginning concert bands. (2:00)

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Series: Belwin Beginning Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 130

UPC: 038081523033

SKU: 00-45767

More about this title

About the Composer: Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) shaped twentieth-century music education through his belief that composition and performance should be accessible to all musicians, not just professionals. His prolific output includes orchestral works, operas, and an extraordinary body of band music that remains foundational to the repertoire. Holst's gift for melody and structural clarity made his music especially valuable in schools and community ensembles, where teachers continue to introduce students to sophisticated compositional thinking through pieces like The Planets and his many band works.

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Why we love this

Douglas E. Wagner has crafted an arrangement that honors Holst's original gift for melody while giving concert bands at the earliest levels something genuinely rewarding to perform. The integration of chimes adds textural variety and visual interest without sacrificing accessibility, and the program notes' alternative scoring options reflect real teaching wisdom about what instruments are actually available in your band room. This is the kind of Grade 1 piece that doesn't feel simplified; it feels like real music.

What to expect

The familiar Welsh ballad unfolds with the warmth and dignity that defines Holst's best melodic writing. There is both brightness and restraint here; the piece celebrates a beloved tune without overselling it, letting the simple beauty of the melody and the shimmer of the chimes speak for themselves.

Who it's for

Beginning concert bands with balanced instrumentation will find this arrangement ideal for their first foray into masterwork literature. Directors seeking a piece that teaches musicianship without overwhelming inexperienced players, while still delivering aesthetic satisfaction to audiences, will return to this again and again.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the entrance of the well-known Welsh melody against any counter-melodies in lower voices so the tune remains the clear focal point, even when texture thickens.
If chimes are unavailable, consult the program notes for the suggested alternatives and rehearse the substitution part with equal care to ensure it blends smoothly with the ensemble.
Shape the 3/4 meter with subtle weight on beat one while maintaining the lilting quality that makes this melody endure; avoid metronomic, rigid phrasing.
Bring out moments where Holst's original orchestration peeks through the band scoring, as these details reward careful listening and deepen student appreciation for the source material.

How to use it

Open a concert with this piece to establish a thoughtful, approachable mood while immediately signaling to audiences that your beginning band takes music seriously. It pairs naturally with other Grade 1 literature in a thematic program, or stand alone as a palate-cleansing moment between more demanding works.