Dance of the Trolls: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2
Dance of the Trolls: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2 Sheet Music Preview

Dance of the Trolls: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2

By Mike Forbes

Grade: 3

Item: 98-PC-DB1592_AX2
Digital Download
$7.00
View Full Set
Description
Explore this fun and colorful work that depicts the mysterious trolls of Mount Horeb (Wisconsin) coming out at night to dance in the streets. Written as a dark, magical waltz, the music moves through a whirlwind of moods before settling into a haunting and slow lyrical section. The dance then begins once more as the music moves into an energetic and fiery ending complete with a surprising twist. A colorful work that will be a huge hit with students!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dance of the Trolls: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2 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.
Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: FJH Concert Band
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU: 98-PC-DB1592_AX2

More about this title

Why we love this

Forbes taps into a genuine Wisconsin legend and transforms it into a piece that genuinely excites student musicians. The structure moves with theatrical confidence—dark waltz, lyrical reflection, fiery return with a twist—giving conductors natural pacing points and giving students a narrative arc to follow rather than just notes on a page.

What to expect

A mischievous, shadowy story unfolding in real time. The mysterious opening draws you into a strange celebration; the lyrical middle lets you catch your breath before the trolls' revelry intensifies again, building to an ending that lands with personality and surprise.

Who it's for

Grade 3 concert bands ready to move beyond straightforward marches into programmatic writing that rewards attention to detail and sectional balance. Directors seeking a festival or contest piece that students remember and audiences enjoy will find this hits both targets.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening dark waltz with deliberate articulation; lean into the mystery without rushing the tempo or losing the dance's inherent pulse.
  • Balance the shift into the slow lyrical section by pulling back dynamic intensity while maintaining tone quality; this contrast will land harder if the first section feels genuine.
  • Build energy steadily through the return to the energetic section; the 'surprising twist' ending works only if the ensemble has momentum behind it.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece contest or festival entry where its clear structure and colorful orchestration will stand out. It also works as a programming bridge between a classical work and something more contemporary, or as a feature piece for a concert themed around folklore or regional stories.

Skills your students will build

  • Phrasing and dynamic contrast across distinct sections
  • Maintaining pulse and articulation in triple meter
  • Balancing texture and blend in programmatic storytelling
  • Responding to dramatic tempo and mood shifts
  • Sustaining melodic line through lyrical passages at Grade 3 level

You May Also Like