A Song of Courage: Score
(Fantasy on Arirang)
By William Owens
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PR-0007463
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Description
Combining the folk song "Arirang" with original material, A Song of Courage contrasts calm passages with bold statements. Offering a message of courage in the face of hardship, William Owens has written a spectacular and highly achievable work. (2:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Song of Courage: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Developing Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PR-0007463
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositions for young musicians. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he has established himself as a prolific voice in band literature, with over 300 works published since 1993. His music appears on contest and festival lists nationwide and has become essential repertoire in countless programs across North America.
Owens earned recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus of his college and received the Texas Bandmasters Association's Meritorious Achievement Award. Beyond composing, he has served as a clinician and conductor while maintaining professional memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International. After retiring from 30 years as a band director in Texas, he continues to live in Fort Worth with his wife Georgia.
Why we love this
Owens understands what Grade 1 bands actually need: accessible parts that don't condescend, a clear emotional arc, and a work that sounds complete in just two and a half minutes. The fusion of the Korean folk melody "Arirang" with his own material gives students a genuine cultural touchstone while the contrast between reflective and assertive sections rewards careful ensemble listening without demanding technical virtuosity.
What to expect
A journey from quiet reflection into measured strength. The opening sets a contemplative mood rooted in the folk tradition, then gradually builds conviction through bolder harmonic movement and orchestration. The emotional arc feels earned rather than manufactured, offering young musicians a story to tell with their sound.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands and developing ensembles ready to explore folk material with artistic depth. Directors seeking a contest or festival piece that challenges young musicians to shape contrasting sections without overwhelming them with technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the quiet passages with dynamic precision rather than playing them under tempo; the contrast only lands if both sections have full energy and intention
- Let younger players hear how the folk melody transforms when it returns; point out the orchestration changes between the calm opening and the bold restatement
- Balance the woodwind and brass lines in the folk-song sections so the tune breathes clearly above the accompaniment
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a folk-inspired concert or alongside other transcultural works. Its moderate length makes it ideal for festival rotations or as a concert opener that sets a serious, purposeful tone before lighter repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping long, sustained melodic lines with appropriate phrasing
- Balancing folk melody above supporting harmonic parts
- Executing dynamic contrast between calm and bold sections
- Responding to structural transformation of a single theme