An Irish Interlude: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$65.00 USD

An Irish Interlude: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: An Irish Interlude: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-2693
Price: 65.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Warren Barker

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-2693

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$65.00

Shipped

One moment…

Every concert needs a quiet, relaxed piece that allows you to work on phrasing, musicality and sensitivity. This beautiful ballad by Warren Barker certainly fits the bill. 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 Interlude: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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.

Series: Growing Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 118

UPC: 038081010151

SKU: 00-2693

More about this title

About the Composer: Warren Barker

Warren Barker (1923-2006) was a prolific composer and arranger whose output shaped the concert band repertoire for generations of student musicians. His ear for accessible, musical writing meant that young ensembles could perform substantial concert works without sacrificing artistry or ensemble growth. Barker's catalog spans from straightforward educational pieces to sophisticated concert arrangements, all marked by clear orchestration and genuine musical substance.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

An Irish Interlude offers something concert band programs genuinely need: a piece that sounds mature and composed while remaining within reach of a young ensemble. Barker's gift for melodic clarity and his understanding of band sonority mean directors can focus rehearsal time on musicianship rather than technical struggle. The beautiful phrasing and expressive opportunities make it rewarding to perform, not just to conduct.

What to expect

An Irish Interlude has the unhurried quality of a traditional ballad, with warm harmonic colors and a melody that feels both intimate and substantial. The piece invites listeners into a reflective space, trading energy for depth and asking the ensemble to find beauty in restraint.

Who it's for

Concert bands working at the Grade 2 level who want to build musicality and phrasing skills without programming only march-driven repertoire. Directors seeking a piece that sounds polished for contest or concert while remaining accessible to developing ensembles will find this particularly valuable.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the melody with consistent breath support across longer phrases; resist the urge to breathe whenever the part allows.
Balance the band so the main melody floats above the harmonic foundation; this ballad style depends on transparency, not weight.
Use dynamic contrast sparingly but deliberately; a piece built on sensitivity will sound thin if every phrase is piano.
Let the ensemble settle into a warm, legato character from the opening measures; this foundation carries the entire performance.

How to use it

Place this as the centerpiece of a concert's quieter section, allowing it to stand as a complete artistic statement rather than filler between louder selections. It also works effectively as a contest or festival choice where judges value maturity of interpretation and tonal control over technical display.