Celtic Air and Dance (No. 1): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Sweeney
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK00325311
$55.00
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Description
Drawing on the rich and varied tradition of Celtic folk songs, this piece opens with the touching and melodious "The Parting Glass." The flutes and percussion take center stage on the dance-like "Tha Mi Sgith (A Fairy's Love Song)", then finally the entire band gets into the act for the rousing finish. Dur: 3:05
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00325311
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Sweeney
Michael Sweeney has built a reputation as one of the most prolific and accessible composers for school bands. His arrangements and original works consistently find their way into festival programs and concert seasons because they balance musical substance with practical performance demands. Sweeney understands what students need to grow as musicians while giving directors pieces that engage audiences.
Why we love this
This arrangement respects the source material while giving every section meaningful moments. The opening melody lands softly enough that young players don't feel overwhelmed, then the piece builds logically so the final section feels earned rather than abrupt. At 1.5 grade, it delivers genuine musical content without asking for technical heroics.
What to expect
Wistful, then playful, then celebratory. The piece carries genuine warmth from the traditional songs at its core, and the orchestration lets each musical idea breathe clearly. You hear the folk roots throughout rather than feeling like an arrangement that borrowed only the title.
Who it's for
Beginning to early intermediate bands that need a piece with folkloric character and straightforward technical demands. Directors looking for programming that introduces students to Celtic melody without complexity will find this especially useful.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening of 'The Parting Glass' with a slight forward motion in the phrasing. Young players often play it too statically, so modeling how the melody breathes naturally through the phrase will keep it from sounding funeral.
- Balance the flute and percussion feature during 'Tha Mi Sgith' carefully. The flutes should sing out without the percussion drowning them; think clarity over volume.
- Build the energy gradually through the final section rather than snapping into it. The rousing finish works because the band has traveled somewhere musically, not because you suddenly crank the tempo.
How to use it
Slot this into a fall or winter concert that includes other folk-based pieces or world music selections. Its approachable level and three-minute duration make it ideal for a program opener or as a gentle transition piece between more demanding works.
Skills your students will build
- Playing sustained melodic lines with phrasing and direction
- Balancing individual sections within a full ensemble texture
- Responding to stylistic cues (reflective versus rhythmic versus energetic)
- Supporting and accompanying primary melodic voices