Danny the Brave Heart: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By John O'Reilly
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0004565
$42.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
This arrangement of two Irish folk songs is dedicated to the memory of Danny Pearl, the Wall Street journalist who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered by Islamic Militants in February 2002. The choice of Danny Boy is an obvious one. The arranger, John O'Reilly, always thinks of Danny when he hears this tune since Mr. O'Reilly's daughter was very close to Danny during their high school years. Danny was a violinist and he loved to play fiddle music. The Wearin' of the Green is in the style Danny enjoyed and the lyrics of the song relate to the struggle of the Irish people as they defied the British oppression. Correlates with Book 2. Page 15
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Danny the Brave Heart: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Accent on Achievement
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
122
SKU:
00-PK-0004565
More about this title
About the Composer: John O'Reilly
John O'Reilly is a composer and arranger with deep roots in Irish musical tradition. His work honors both the classical concert band idiom and the folk heritage that defines his compositional voice, as evidenced by his thoughtful approach to arranging traditional material for young ensembles.
Why we love this
This arrangement honors a real person and a real tragedy, giving your band a chance to perform music with genuine purpose and emotional weight. At Grade 1.5, it's accessible enough for developing ensembles while the context of the piece invites students to engage thoughtfully with what they're playing. The pairing of two Irish folk songs creates a natural arc that builds from reflection to defiant strength.
What to expect
The first song is a tender funeral march, intimate and reflective, honoring memory with Irish warmth. The second song shifts to something defiant and spirited, capturing the resilience of a people who refused to be silenced. Together they tell a story of loss and persistence.
Who it's for
Beginning to early-intermediate concert bands ready to tackle music with narrative depth. The Grade 1.5 difficulty makes it ideal for ensembles developing technical confidence while addressing material that asks something emotional of them.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody across sections so "Danny Boy" sings clearly even at modest dynamic levels. The tune deserves space to breathe rather than being buried under harmonic support.
- Shape the transition into "The Wearin' of the Green" with a slight tempo push and articulation change to capture the shift from elegy to anthem.
- Communicate the memorial context to your students before rehearsing. When musicians understand they're honoring a real person, the musicality deepens naturally.
- Let the folk idiom guide your phrasing. These tunes want rubato and lyrical shaping, not metronomic precision.
How to use it
Program this during a concert that addresses meaningful themes or as part of a tribute program. It can stand alone as a powerful closer or pair it with other Irish-themed repertoire to create a cohesive set. The piece's accessibility makes it suitable for spring concerts when ensembles are strongest.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long melodic lines with lyrical phrasing
- Balancing melody and harmony in folk-song arrangements
- Transitioning between contrasting tempos and characters
- Connecting musical expression to extramusical context and intention