Korean Hill Song: Bassoon
Alto Saxophone and Flute Solo
Arr. Mark Williams
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0000324_B1
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Description
The beautiful, well-known folk song "Arirang" is featured in this creative adaptation by Mark Williams. Colorful percussion writing and solos for alto saxophone and flute help to establish the tone of this very interesting arrangement. John Barnes Chance also used this folk song, named for Arirang Hill, near Seoul, in the concert band classic Variation on a Korean Folk Song. Take advantage of this great opportunity for younger musicians to experience this amazing melody!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Korean Hill Song: Bassoon 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:
Challenger Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
126
SKU:
00-PC-0000324_B1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Williams
Mark Williams built his reputation as a composer and arranger deeply committed to school music education. With over 200 published works spanning band, orchestra, and choir, he shaped the sound of American school ensembles through thoughtful writing that balanced accessibility with musical substance. His co-authorship of the Accent on Achievement Band Method influenced generations of young musicians, and his clinical work across 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia made him a trusted voice in instrumental pedagogy.
Williams' own background as a woodwind performer and arranger for the 560th Air Force Band informed his distinctive compositional voice. Educated at Eastern Washington University, where he earned both Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education degrees, he spent much of his career teaching elementary band in Washington state. His contributions to the field earned recognition including the Gralia Competition award and multiple ASCAP Special Awards, cementing his legacy as a composer who understood what young musicians needed to play and what teachers needed to teach.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the lyrical beauty of "Arirang" while remaining genuinely playable for younger bands. The colorful percussion writing and strategic solo opportunities for alto saxophone and flute transform a folk melody into an engaging concert piece without compromising the tune's emotional core. Comparing it to John Barnes Chance's more complex Variation on a Korean Folk Song, directors have a perfectly calibrated entry point to introduce students to this culturally significant melody.
What to expect
Lyrical and reflective, with the folk melody at its heart shining through transparent orchestration. The piece carries both earnestness and quiet elegance, inviting young musicians to experience the emotional weight of a song rooted in specific geography and culture.
Who it's for
Elementary through early middle school bands seeking an accessible concert piece that introduces multicultural repertoire. The Grade 1.5 level and shorter format make it ideal for younger ensembles or those building confidence with standard concert band instrumentation.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the alto saxophone and flute solos against the supporting voices; these passages should sing above the ensemble texture rather than blend into it.
- Let the percussion color the arrangement without overwhelming it. The instrumentation is creative specifically because it supports the folk melody, not competes with it.
- Shape the phrasing through subtle dynamic contours rather than dramatic contrasts. "Arirang" rewards legit, songful conducting that emphasizes the line's natural breath points.
- Use rehearsal time to discuss the cultural context of Arirang Hill and the melody's significance in Korean music. Students engage more fully with music they understand.
How to use it
Program this early in the concert to establish a contemplative tone, or use it to introduce students and audiences to Korean music. It pairs well with other multicultural or folk-based selections and serves as a natural bridge to studying more complex arrangements of the same melody later in a student's development.
Skills your students will build
- Accompanying solo voices while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Balancing transparent texture and supporting harmonic parts
- Interpreting folk melody with stylistic sensitivity
- Experiencing music from outside Western European traditions
- Managing dynamic control in lyrical, song-based writing