An Austrian Carol: 1st Trombone
Still, Still, Still
Traditional / arr. Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015318_TN1
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
"Still, Still, Still" is an Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby. In German, its first line translates to "Hush, hush, hush, for the little child wants to sleep!" The melody is a folk tune from the region around Salzburg, and appeared for the first time in 1865 in a folk song collection of the founder of the Salzburg Museum. Correlated to Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 2, Level 2, this lovely setting for young band provides opportunities for expression and lyricism on any holiday concert. (2:50) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, An Austrian Carol: 1st Trombone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
138
SKU:
00-PC-0015318_TN1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most widely performed composers in wind band repertoire today. His works appear regularly on state and national contest lists, and ensembles from Japan to Australia perform his music in concert halls ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center. Beyond composition, Sheldon shaped music education as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, a curriculum used in countless classrooms.
His contributions to the field have earned recognition from the American School Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP. Sheldon maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, and presents clinics at universities and state music education conferences worldwide. VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2020, acknowledging his lasting impact on wind band pedagogy and artistry.
Why we love this
Sheldon's arrangement captures the tender intimacy of this Salzburg lullaby while keeping the writing accessible for young ensembles. The Grade 1 scoring allows every section to contribute meaningfully, and the modest two-minute-fifty-second length makes it an ideal closer for a winter concert that needs breathing room and emotional depth without demanding technical virtuosity.
What to expect
Quiet and contemplative, like stepping into a candlelit room on a winter evening. The arrangement preserves the lullaby's gentle rocking quality and its origin as a soothing song for children, creating an intimate sound that contrasts beautifully with more energetic holiday selections.
Who it's for
Grade 1 concert bands looking for a genuine musical moment during winter programming. This arrangement works equally well for younger ensembles building foundational skills and for more experienced groups seeking a stylistically authentic arrangement that respects the carol's heritage.
How to get the most out of it
- Approach the tempo with flexibility rather than metronomic rigidity; the carol's lullaby character invites gentle rubato and breathing space that honors its origin as a soothing folk tune.
- Balance the melody across different sections to highlight the Salzburg melody rather than letting any single voice dominate; this distribution ensures clarity while building ensemble listening skills.
- Shape phrases through subtle dynamic contours and attention to the harmonic progression; even at Grade 1, young musicians respond well to musical storytelling when the conductor models expressive intention.
How to use it
Position this as the reflective anchor in a holiday concert, perhaps after more spirited carols or festive arrangements. Its brief duration and Grade 1 accessibility make it an excellent choice for adding substantive content to a young band concert without overwhelming rehearsal schedules in the busy December weeks.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality and intonation
- Listening for blend and balance across all band sections
- Responding to expressive conducting and dynamic shaping in a lyrical context
- Performing a traditional folk melody with appropriate musical character