Irish Air and Dance: Score
Traditional / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0001457
$9.00
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Description
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.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Irish Air and Dance: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
126
SKU:
00-PR-0001457
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story has established himself as one of the most prolific arrangers for young and developing bands, with a catalog that spans folk traditions, classical masterworks, and contemporary compositions. His arrangements are celebrated for their musicality, clear textures, and pedagogical thoughtfulness. Story consistently demonstrates an ear for what makes music engaging at every level, balancing accessibility with genuine artistic content.
Why we love this
Story's pairing of these two Irish melodies creates a natural arch that teaches young musicians how contrasting sections work together. The opening Air establishes beautiful legato playing and ensemble balance, while the Dance provides rhythmic energy and textural variety. This isn't just a folk tune arrangement; it's a complete concert work that builds musicianship through engaging material.
What to expect
The Air unfolds with warmth and reflection, allowing the band to breathe and listen to its own sound. The Dance shifts the mood entirely, bringing rhythmic drive and infectious energy that young musicians naturally enjoy performing. The piece closes with a sense of arrival and celebration, leaving the audience and performers both satisfied.
Who it's for
Grade 2 bands with developing musicality and rhythmic confidence will find this arrangement both achievable and rewarding. It serves directors building bands through their first or second year of repertoire, where the combination of lyrical playing and energetic rhythmic material addresses multiple ensemble needs at once.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the Air's opening phrases with long, connected lines; resist the urge to break the legato even at rests between phrases.
- Ensure the Dance's rhythmic sections lock with the accompaniment parts, which carry the energy. Have rhythm section and upper woodwinds rehearse separately first.
- Approach the tutti statement at the conclusion as a celebratory payoff. This moment needs full sound and confident ensemble control.
- Use the contrasting tempos between Air and Dance to reset the band's focus. The transition is your chance to refocus the group.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece that shows off both the lyrical and energetic sides of your band's abilities. The two-minute length and accessible Grade 2 level make it ideal for festival or contest performance, where judges appreciate clear musical storytelling. It pairs well with marches or heavier works that benefit from the textural contrast of an Irish-flavored program.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained legato phrasing and ensemble balance in lyrical contexts
- Rhythmic precision and synchronization in dance-like figures
- Dynamic contrast between soft, lyrical sections and bold tutti statements
- Transitioning between contrasting tempos and moods within a single work
- Voice independence and clarity when parts are assigned to specific instrumental families