Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella: 1st Violin
Traditional / arr. Vince Gassi
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0017363_VN1
$5.99
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Description
Nothing says Noel better than a 16th century courtly dance. Also known as "Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle," this piece was originally performed for the French nobility. The variations in this new setting by Vince Gassi will lift your spirits as they pass from a joyous opening, through a brief moment of reflection, and on to a jubilant ending. This little bit of effervescence is a great addition to any part of your Christmas program. (2:45)
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
126
SKU:
00-PC-0017363_VN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Vince Gassi
Vince Gassi has built a prolific career across composition, conducting, and music education. Since 2006, he has published over 100 works that balance accessibility with musical substance, earning him recognition on contest lists and concert programs internationally. His training spans the University of Western Ontario, the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, and York University in Toronto, where he completed his Ph.D.
Gassi's twenty-five years in the classroom inform his approach to writing for young musicians. He remains active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout North America, and his seminars on creative engagement and digital workflows reflect his commitment to evolving music education practice. His compositions have been performed across North America, Europe, and Japan, with frequent appearances at the Midwest Clinic.
Why we love this
Gassi captures the courtly elegance of a 16th century French dance while building genuine variety into a brief work. The arc from spirited opening through introspection to exuberant close gives your orchestra something musically coherent to shape, rather than a static arrangement. At Grade 3, it stays playable while delivering the charm and sophistication that makes holiday concerts memorable.
What to expect
A candlelit moment of courtly grace: spirited and warm at first, then inward and contemplative, before erupting into pure celebration. The orchestration sparkles without becoming frivolous, grounded in a melody that earned its place in European tradition centuries ago.
Who it's for
String orchestra directors programming holiday concerts or looking for Grade 3 repertoire with genuine musicality. This arrangement works equally well for ensembles new to seasonal programming and for established orchestras seeking a proven crowd-pleaser with substance beneath its festive surface.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening joyously without rushing; the courtly character depends on steady articulation and clear phrasing across the string parts.
- Let the reflective middle section breathe. Pull back the dynamic intensity and balance the inner voices so the moment of quiet feels genuinely restful before the final surge.
- Balance the violin lines in the jubilant ending so the melody stays prominent; this prevents the piece from becoming muddied as all sections come into play.
- Mark the section transitions in your score during preparation so you can conduct them cleanly in rehearsal; clarity here will sharpen the emotional arc the composer built.
How to use it
Place this as a warm, engaging opener to a holiday concert, or pair it with other traditional seasonal material to build a thematic first half. Its moderate length (2:45) and accessible Grade 3 difficulty make it ideal for a program that mixes full orchestra works with chamber or soloistic selections.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained phrasing across string sections at moderate tempo
- Dynamic contrast and emotional shaping within a compact form
- Clarity in transitional passages between distinct sections
- Ensemble balance when multiple string parts carry melodic interest simultaneously