Land of Harp and Song: Bells
(A Collection of Irish Folk Songs)
Various / arr. Timothy Loest
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0019423_B
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Description
This enchanting, three-movement collection of Irish songs opens with a lilting version of "The Kerry Dance." The second movement features a sentimental setting of "The Last Rose of Summer" before the work concludes with the resolute anthem "The Minstrel Boy." Land of Harp and Song is a fantastic arrangement by Timothy Loest that will showcase every member of the band! (4:45)
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Young Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019423_B
More about this title
About the Arranger: Timothy Loest
Timothy Loest brings three decades of classroom experience to every score he arranges and composes. His work has reached audiences far beyond the concert hall, appearing on network television including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America, while his composition Cloud Gate drew over 5,000 listeners at Chicago's Millennium Park in 2017. He received the Illinois Grade School Music Association's Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for Excellence in Music Education and founded Fanfare Music Press in 2022 to publish high-quality band literature.
Loest's pedagogical reach extends through his association with several widely adopted band methods, including Measures of Success and the Beyond series (Warm-ups, Rhythms, and Chorales). His arrangements and compositions are published by major houses including Warner Bros. Publications, C.L. Barnhouse Company, and The FJH Music Company. He holds degrees from Illinois State University and Northwestern University, maintains ASCAP membership, and continues to accept commissions for band works through his website.
Why we love this
Loest understands Grade 3 bands deeply, and this three-movement arrangement proves it. He's written the parts so that every section matters without creating impossible technical demands, and the song choices ("The Kerry Dance," "The Last Rose of Summer," "The Minstrel Boy") are instantly recognizable enough to engage audiences while feeling fresh in concert band dress.
What to expect
The opening lifts with the unmistakable charm of an Irish dance, then settles into genuine lyrical warmth as the band sings "The Last Rose of Summer" with tenderness. The final movement builds into a noble, resolute declaration that sends the ensemble and audience away with a sense of conviction and pride.
Who it's for
This score and parts set is designed for Grade 3 concert bands ready to program a cohesive multi-movement work that celebrates Irish musical heritage. Bands seeking festival or contest material that balances accessibility with musical substance will find a strong choice here, especially when looking to include every player meaningfully.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening lilt of "The Kerry Dance" by keeping the melody singing over the rhythmic foundation; resist the temptation to let accompaniment figures overtake the tune.
- Shape the phrasing in "The Last Rose of Summer" with genuine rubato in the reeds and upper woodwinds; sentiment requires space and breath between phrases.
- Lock the forward momentum of "The Minstrel Boy" by keeping the pulse steady in the percussion section; this anthem gains power from rhythmic cohesion across all parts.
- Use the full run-time (4:45) to allow each movement its own character; rushing the transitions between sections diminishes the overall arc.
How to use it
This arrangement works exceptionally well as a complete three-movement suite on a concert or contest program, offering variety while maintaining a unified thematic identity. Consider programming it alongside other world music selections to deepen a multicultural focus, or feature it as a mid-program anchor that bridges lighter opening selections into more ambitious closing works.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing and breath placement in lyrical contexts
- Balancing melody against supporting harmonies
- Sustaining legato lines at Grade 3 technical level
- Maintaining steady pulse and ensemble cohesion across multiple sections
- Musical characterization and style awareness (dance, sentimental ballad, anthem)