American Song Settings, No. 2: Mallets
"Skip to My Lou"
Arr. Joseph Kreines
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0014566_M1
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Description
Skip to My Lou, the second in a series of wind band settings of familiar melodies, was written for and is dedicated to the Maitland (FL) Middle School Wind Ensemble, Eric Mendez, director.
It opens with a short introduction utilizing the opening notes of the melody, proceeding to its first full statement in the upper woodwinds. The second presentation features the trumpets and xylophone followed by a statement in the bass instruments while the melody "Long, Long Ago" appears in the upper voices. A contrasting legato section follows, succeeded by a more rhythmic statement in woodwinds and trumpets. The melody then appears in the alto saxophones with a contrasting idea in upper woodwinds. A marcato statement of the melody appears as a three-bar phrase with a staccato accompaniment. The final section utilizes the style of the opening measures and is expanded to bring the work to a final climactic conclusion.
It opens with a short introduction utilizing the opening notes of the melody, proceeding to its first full statement in the upper woodwinds. The second presentation features the trumpets and xylophone followed by a statement in the bass instruments while the melody "Long, Long Ago" appears in the upper voices. A contrasting legato section follows, succeeded by a more rhythmic statement in woodwinds and trumpets. The melody then appears in the alto saxophones with a contrasting idea in upper woodwinds. A marcato statement of the melody appears as a three-bar phrase with a staccato accompaniment. The final section utilizes the style of the opening measures and is expanded to bring the work to a final climactic conclusion.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Debut Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0014566_M1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Joseph Kreines
Joseph Kreines built his conducting career across Florida's major orchestras, serving as associate conductor of The Florida Orchestra in Tampa and musical director of the Brevard Symphony. His work extends well beyond the podium: he appears regularly as a clinician and guest conductor with ensembles nationwide, accompanies soloists in recitals and festivals, and has composed and transcribed extensively for concert band and brass choir.
Kreines is particularly recognized for his transcriptions of Percy Grainger's music and authored Music for Concert Band, a respected annotated guide to band literature. His arrangements balance accessibility with musical substance, a principle evident in works like Skip to My Lou, which was written for and dedicated to the Maitland Middle School Wind Ensemble.
Why we love this
Kreines constructs this arrangement with real pedagogical intelligence: the melody rotates through every section of the band in ways that keep young players engaged without overwhelming them. The contrasting sections (legato, rhythmic, marcato) give students multiple musical colors to explore within a single, familiar tune, making this ideal for teaching stylistic variety and ensemble balance at an accessible level.
What to expect
Bright and approachable, yet thoughtfully orchestrated. The familiar melody of Skip to My Lou anchors the piece while unexpected harmonic and rhythmic treatments keep the ear engaged: a xylophone joins the trumpets in one statement, the bass instruments carry the tune while upper voices add harmonic interest in another. The journey from energetic opening through a tender legato middle section and back to a robust conclusion feels satisfying without being predictable.
Who it's for
Middle school and early high school concert bands seeking repertoire that develops musicianship without excessive technical demands. The Grade 1.5 difficulty makes it accessible to developing ensembles while the varied scoring and contrasting sections offer genuine musical substance that doesn't feel watered down.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening introduction carefully so the short motivic statement clearly announces the melody without overshadowing the full statement that follows in the upper woodwinds.
- In the marcato three-bar phrase section, maintain strict rhythmic precision on the staccato accompaniment to prevent it from muddying the melodic line.
- Shape the legato contrasting section with clear phrasing and air support; this section will sound lush only if the ensemble commits fully to the long lines.
- Allow the final climactic conclusion to build gradually through the expanded material; resist the urge to push tempo as dynamics increase.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or second number on a concert; its energy and recognizable melody work well to engage an audience early. It pairs effectively with more challenging works on the same program, providing both a musical contrast and a confidence builder for younger students before tackling more demanding repertoire. This is also an excellent choice for family concerts or community events where audience familiarity with the tune itself adds to the listening experience.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody across multiple sections of the band
- Executing contrasting articulations and styles within a single piece (legato, marcato, staccato)
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated and syncopated accompaniment figures
- Listening for and adjusting dynamics in relation to other parts
- Understanding how orchestration creates variation without changing melody