Irish Jig for Young Feet: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Travis J. Weller
Grade: 2
Item: 98-DB1397
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Description
Teach 6/8 with this easy work in the style of the popular Irish folk dance. The infectious melody works its way around the entire ensemble as the musical celebration unfolds. Wind players have an opportunity to tap their feet in response to several percussion statements, creating a delightful interplay. An excellent way to experience Irish dance music with young musicians!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Irish Jig for Young Feet: 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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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1397
More about this title
About the Composer: Travis J. Weller
Travis J. Weller is a prolific composer whose work appears throughout the FJH Young Band series, where he has built a reputation for writing engaging, musically sound arrangements that respect young players' developing abilities. His compositions balance accessibility with genuine musical content, making him a trusted voice for directors building repertoire for Grade 1-3 bands.
Why we love this
Weller captures the rhythmic vitality of Irish dance music without sacrificing musical substance. The 6/8 meter feels natural here rather than imposed, and the way he distributes the melody across the ensemble keeps every section engaged while the percussion conversation adds character that young players genuinely enjoy executing.
What to expect
Infectious and playful, with a genuine folk character that makes students want to move. The melody bounces with the light-footed quality of an actual jig, while the interplay between winds and percussion creates a sense of musical conversation rather than one section carrying the tune.
Who it's for
Grade 2 bands ready to dive into compound meter with music that actually sounds like dance rather than a drill exercise. This works equally well for ensembles building core repertoire and those looking to add a fun novelty number that teaches serious rhythmic concepts.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melodic line with gentle articulation and consistent air support; the lilting quality comes from phrasing, not from rushing the tempo.
- Have your wind players actually tap their feet during the percussion statements rather than simply playing through them. This physical engagement clarifies the rhythmic framework and builds stronger ensemble cohesion.
- Lock the harmonic foundation by ensuring your low brass and reeds are locked together on pulse. In 6/8, the dotted quarter becomes the primary beat, so anchor there.
- Bring the percussion statements slightly forward in the mix; they're part of the conversation, not background color.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to set a bright, energetic tone, or use it as a teaching piece during the section of your year when 6/8 is the focus. It also pairs well in a multicultural concert theme or as the opening number in a spring concert built around world dance traditions.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing in 6/8 meter with confidence
- Distributing a melody across ensemble voices
- Responding to visual and musical cues from the conductor
- Rhythmic independence (wind players maintaining pulse against percussion patterns)
- Articulation and phrasing appropriate to dance idioms