Irish Tune from County Derry: Score
Arr. Paul Cook
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002053
$10.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
It has been called the "Irish National Anthem," and has been adopted as a favorite tune by millions beyond the shores of that country. It also has served as the theme song for entertainers, and appeared in soundtracks on television and in motion pictures. This beautifully sensitive scoring brings the song into the concert band arena, playable by bands and ensembles of almost any level of skill. Gracious and elegant. (3:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Irish Tune from County Derry: Score 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
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PR-0002053
More about this title
Why we love this
Paul Cook's arrangement respects the tune's iconic status while making it genuinely accessible to young ensembles. Grade 1 voicing never sacrifices the song's inherent dignity; the scoring proves that simplicity and elegance are not opposites. Directors looking for repertoire that sounds mature without demanding virtuosity will find exactly that here.
What to expect
Wistful and unhurried, with the warm familiarity of a tune that has traveled across centuries and oceans. The arrangement holds space for reflection, inviting audiences to recognize a beloved melody while experiencing it anew through young musicians' voices.
Who it's for
Beginning and developing concert bands seeking repertoire with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for Grade 1 ensembles building foundational skills and for experienced groups wanting a piece that serves programming needs without technical burden.
How to get the most out of it
- Maintain steady tempo throughout the entire three minutes; the piece's impact rests on unhurried phrasing rather than technical display. Let younger players experience what it means to sustain a musical line.
- Balance the melody across your ensemble rather than concentrating it in one section. This tune has been played by millions; your band should reflect that collective voice.
- Shape the melodic contours gently. Slight dynamic swells at phrase peaks will give the arrangement dimension without requiring dramatic contrast.
- Blend the accompaniment voices carefully in the opening measures. A clean harmonic foundation will let the melody breathe naturally when it enters.
How to use it
Pair this with other Irish or folk-inspired works to build a thematic concert, or program it as an elegant centerpiece that provides interpretive contrast to pieces on either side. Its moderate length and universal appeal make it ideal for community concerts where audience connection matters as much as technical display.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long melodic lines and maintaining phrase shape
- Balancing multiple musical voices to support a central melody
- Reading standard concert band instrumentation and part assignments
- Executing controlled dynamics and subtle expressive shaping
- Performing with rhythmic steadiness in moderate tempos