Irish Air and Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$57.00 USD

Irish Air and Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Irish Air and Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-29579
Price: 57.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional / arr. Michael Story

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-29579

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Combining contrasting Irish tunes, "The Minstril Boy" and "The Girl I Left Behind Me," this young band work will be warmly received on any program. Opening with a beautiful lyric, legato presentation of the "Air," the work progresses with the energetic "Dance," exploring a variety of textures and concludes with a bold tutti statement. (2:03) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Belwin Young Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 126

UPC: 038081327921

SKU: 00-29579

More about this title

About the Arranger: Michael Story

Michael Story has established himself as a prolific composer and arranger for young and developing bands, with a gift for making traditional material accessible without sacrificing musical substance. His arrangements consistently appear on festival and contest programs nationwide, where they serve as reliable choices for bands seeking repertoire that engages students while building foundational musicianship.

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Why we love this

Story's pairing of these two beloved Irish melodies creates a satisfying arc that asks young musicians to master both lyrical phrasing and rhythmic vitality within a single piece. The Grade 2 voicing keeps technical demands reasonable while the textural variety and contrasting moods keep both players and audiences engaged throughout.

What to expect

The piece moves from the tender, singing quality of a traditional Irish air into the spirited energy of a dance, creating an emotional and stylistic journey that captures the warmth of folk tradition. The orchestration allows the full band to shine in the closing moments, delivering a satisfying resolution after the expressive opening.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits young concert bands at the Grade 2 level who are ready to explore contrasting musical moods and styles within a single performance piece. It works especially well for directors seeking accessible festival or contest material that builds students' musicality rather than technical virtuosity.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening Air with clear phrase arcs and consistent vibrato in the woodwind sections to establish the legato character before the transition to the Dance.
Balance the variety of textures in the Dance movement by isolating instrumental choirs during rehearsal; lock the rhythmic foundation in the low brass and percussion first, then layer in the melodic and countermelodic voices.
Build toward the final tutti statement with a gradual dynamic and textural crescendo, giving the closing statement weight without rushing the tempo.

How to use it

Program this as a standalone concert piece to showcase your band's range of musical expression, or pair it with other folk-based works to build a thematic set. Its moderate length (2:03) and accessible difficulty make it suitable for fall festivals, holiday concerts, or spring competitions where contest/festival adjudication is a goal.