An Irish Air: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$49.00 USD

An Irish Air: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: An Irish Air: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24646
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert Sheldon

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-24646

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This lovely setting of the popular Irish folk song, Molly Malone, provides the perfect moment of lyricism for a program of young band music. Well-crafted and tastefully scored, this arrangement allows the beauty of the original melody to speak in a most charming way. 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 Irish Air: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Challenger Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 118

UPC: 038081278155

SKU: 00-24646

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon's compositions dominate the wind band repertoire and are performed by ensembles worldwide. His works appear regularly on state and national contest lists, and he has received major awards from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP. He co-authored Sound Innovations for Concert Band and continues to produce new commissions and publications annually.

Sheldon's impact extends beyond composition into education and mentorship. He guest conducts All-State and Regional Honor Bands frequently and presents clinics at universities and state music education conferences across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. His music has been performed at Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. He received an honorary doctorate from VanderCook College of Music in 2020.

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Why we love this

Sheldon captures the elegance of Molly Malone without overcomplicating it, giving young bands a chance to play something genuinely musical that doesn't rely on activity or bombast. The orchestration breathes room for individual sections to shine while maintaining the song's natural beauty, making this equally rewarding for both rehearsal and performance.

What to expect

Warm and unhurried, with the gentle storytelling of a folk melody that has survived centuries. The arrangement honors the song's Irish roots while inviting the ensemble to discover its own voice in the harmony.

Who it's for

Beginning to early-intermediate concert bands (grades 5-8, high school non-varsity ensembles) looking for accessible literature that teaches musicality and phrasing without technical obstacles. Directors seeking a lyrical contrast piece for mixed programs or contest festivals will find this essential.

How to get the most out of it

Let the melody float without forcing it. Encourage principal players to shape the line as they would sing it, not as a mechanical passage.
Balance the accompaniment deliberately. Young ensembles often lean on harmonic support at the expense of clarity; pull back the inner voices to let the tune sing through.
Control the tempo with a steady pulse rather than a brisk one. Irish airs benefit from space and breathing room between phrases.

How to use it

Position this between more vigorous pieces to give both the band and audience a moment of reflection. It works especially well in mixed concert programs where an Easy arrangement can provide musical substance without derailing a program's pacing, or as a thoughtful choice for festival competitions seeking repertoire with cultural depth.