Celtic Air and Dance No. 5: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Michael Sweeney
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK00464171
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Continuing the popular format of previous Celtic Air and Dance settings, this work for second year players opens with the tender Irish ballad "Ned of the Hill." The dance segment combines two popular Irish polkas with the melodies skillfully traded between various sections of the band. Perfect for teaching both legato and detached styles, and also keeping the percussion engaged.
Celtic Air and Dance No. 5: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00464171
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Sweeney
Michael Sweeney has established himself as one of the most prolific and respected arrangers for young concert bands. His work prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, crafting pieces that engage students while building foundational musicianship skills. Sweeney's arrangements are known for their careful voice leading and thoughtful distribution of material across the ensemble, making complex musical ideas achievable for developing musicians.
Why we love this
The arc of this piece makes it genuinely fun to teach. You get immediate payoff with the lyrical "Ned of the Hill" early on, which naturally develops breath control and phrase shaping, then the polka section brings energy and allows you to explore articulation contrasts without exhausting your students. The melodic trades between sections keep every part engaged and give quieter moments real purpose rather than feeling like filler.
What to expect
The opening settles into the gentle contemplation of an Irish folk melody, unhurried and introspective. Once the polka section arrives, the mood shifts to spirited celebration with infectious rhythmic drive, creating a satisfying emotional journey from reflection to joy.
Who it's for
This is built for second year concert bands working at a solid Grade 1.5 level. It works especially well for students who've developed basic control but need more sophisticated phrasing experience and for ensembles that thrive with accessible repertoire that doesn't feel compromised.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening ballad with long, naturally supported lines; resist the urge to rush the slower sections, which will feel longer to students than to an audience
- Establish a clear stylistic difference between the ballad's legato singing and the polkas' crisp, detached character by addressing tonguing explicitly in sectionals
- Balance the melodic trades carefully so that the listener follows the tune even when it moves from woodwinds to brass; this requires controlled dynamic support from the accompaniment
- Give your percussion section specific rhythmic anchors during the polka transitions to maintain rhythmic integrity when the melody passes between groups
How to use it
Consider pairing this with other folk or Celtic repertoire for a thematic concert, or use it mid-program as a lighter moment between weightier pieces. It also works beautifully as a contest selection where accessibility meets genuine musical substance.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long legato phrases with consistent tone and breath support
- Contrasting articulation styles (legato vs. staccato) within a single piece
- Following melody exchanges between different instrument families
- Playing rhythmically independent accompaniment patterns while listening to melodic lines
- Balancing ensemble blend during scored dynamic changes