Dance Suite from <I>Terpsichore</I> Cover Image

Dance Suite from <I>Terpsichore</I>: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD
$70.00 USD
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Dance Suite from <I>Terpsichore</I> Cover Image
Dance Suite from Terpsichore: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Dance Suite from Terpsichore: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

By Michael Praetorius / arr. David Marlatt

Grade: 2.5

Item: 81-CB18353
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Description
Terpsichore is a collection of over 300 instrumental dance pieces by Michael Praetorius to which there were no instruments specified on the score. As a result these pieces have been performed by many combinations of woodwind, brass, and string instruments over the years. Four of these short pieces have been selected and orchestrated here for winds and percussion. Different consorts or families of instruments have been featured to contrast each other in range, timbre, volume, or character.

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Additional Details
Series: Eighth Note Publications
Publisher: Eighth Note Publications
ISBN10: 1-77157-515-8
ISBN13: 978-1-77157-515-7
UPC: 685462025169
SKU: 81-CB18353

More about this title

About the Composer: Michael Praetorius

Michael Praetorius (1571, 1621) was a German composer and music theorist whose output spanned sacred and secular works. His Terpsichore, published in 1612, stands as one of the most significant dance collections of the Renaissance, comprising over 300 instrumental pieces that reflect the vibrant musical life of the German court. The collection's open instrumentation made it endlessly adaptable; performers of his era chose which instruments to use based on what was available and the occasion at hand.

For music educators, Praetorius represents a compositional approach that prioritizes melodic clarity and rhythmic directness. His dances move with natural phrasing and modest harmonic language, making them ideal for teaching ensemble balance and stylistic interpretation without overwhelming technical demands.

Why we love this

Marlatt's orchestration solves a real problem for conductors: you get the charm of Renaissance dance forms without the arrangement headaches. By featuring contrasting instrumental families across the suite, students hear how the same melodic idea changes color and character, making the case for thoughtful orchestration tangibly clear. The grade 2.5 level keeps technical barriers low while delivering genuine musical substance.

What to expect

These pieces radiate Renaissance elegance without pretension. Each dance moves with natural forward momentum and clear melodic intention, creating a sense of courtly grace that feels alive rather than historical. The shifting instrumental colors give the suite vitality; you're not hearing the same orchestration twice.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the middle school and early high school levels will find this suite approachable yet musically rewarding. Directors seeking shorter concert pieces that still offer substantive teaching moments about orchestration and style will appreciate Marlatt's thoughtful arrangement of four distinct dances.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the phrasing in eight-bar phrases rather than beat-by-beat; let each dance breathe as a complete musical thought instead of a collection of measures.
  • Balance the featured consort against supporting harmony; when flutes carry the melody, brass needs to sit back and provide harmonic foundation without overwhelming.
  • Attend to articulation consistency within each dance family; if clarinets are marked staccato, similar figures in saxophones or brass should match that character.
  • Prepare students for sudden textural shifts between movements by rehearsing the transitions separately; these contrasts work only when the ensemble lands cleanly on each new sonority.

How to use it

This suite works beautifully as a standalone concert work or as part of a program exploring music history and style periods. Consider pairing it with a modern work to let audiences hear how composers from different eras approach similar formal challenges. The manageable length and intermediate difficulty make it suitable for mid-year concerts or spring programming.

Skills your students will build

  • Hearing and responding to orchestration changes across woodwind, brass, and percussion families
  • Maintaining phrase shape and long-line thinking across short dance forms
  • Balancing featured melodic material against harmonic accompaniment
  • Interpreting Renaissance stylistic conventions with accurate articulation and phrasing

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