Fantasia on the "Dargason": Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$62.00 USD

Fantasia on the "Dargason": Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Fantasia on the "Dargason": Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-BDM00037
Price: 62.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Gustav Holst / arr. Michael Story

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-BDM00037

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MIchael Story has skillfully re-scored the finale from Holst's Second Suite in F making the combination of "Dargason Dance" and "Greensleeves" approachable for young band. The key signature is better suited for this level and the variations have been mildly adapted for accessibility. The energy of the original has been retained. Don't miss this classic band work on your next program. (3:00)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Fantasia on the "Dargason": Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Belwin Young Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 274

ISBN10: 0-7579-3380-7

ISBN13: 978-0-7579-3380-6

UPC: 654979188575

SKU: 00-BDM00037

More about this title

About the Arranger: Michael Story

Michael Story is an accomplished composer and arranger whose work spans concert band, wind ensemble, and orchestral settings. His arrangements of classical masterworks demonstrate a keen understanding of pedagogical needs; he consistently finds ways to preserve the integrity and character of original compositions while making them accessible to younger musicians.

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Why we love this

Story's treatment of Holst's beloved finale respects every essential musical idea while solving a real accessibility problem. The key change and thoughtful variation editing mean your young band gets to own a genuine masterwork rather than a compromise version, and the three-minute length gives you a substantial concert piece that doesn't demand an hour of rehearsal just to get through.

What to expect

The combination of "Dargason" and "Greensleeves" carries an irresistible folk character, energetic yet warm. Story preserves Holst's clever harmonic interweaving of the two melodies, creating moments of genuine sophistication that young musicians will feel even if they can't yet articulate why the piece works so well.

Who it's for

This score and parts set is designed for Grade 2 concert bands ready to tackle a recognizable classic with authentic orchestration and structure. Directors building festival programs or concert repertoire will find a piece that satisfies both musicians and audiences without requiring advanced technical skills.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody between upper woodwinds and brass as it passes back and forth; resist the urge to let either section overpower the folk melody itself.
Keep the rhythmic drive steady through the variations. Young bands often lose momentum in ensemble sections; maintain consistent pulse even when parts get busier.
Shape each variation distinctly. The mild adaptations Story made give you clearer character changes than the original, so use dynamics and articulation to help the audience hear where the form moves.

How to use it

Schedule this as a concert opener or closer to establish band identity and musicality early in your season. It also works exceptionally well at regional festivals where it will stand among more contemporary Grade 2 pieces as a reminder of what concert band literature can be.