Old Mac Donald's Barn: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

The familiar melody gets a nostalgic yet absurd treatment, like watching a childhood song get caught between a folk dance and a barnyard comedy sketch. The 3/4 waltz-like character feels gently silly, and when the animal sounds arrive, the piece embraces its own playfulness without apology.

Brass quintets looking for an accessible encore that audiences actually remember. This works equally well for ensembles that need something engaging at the Easy-Medium level and for advanced groups seeking intentional comic relief on a concert program.

• Let the 3/4 meter breathe naturally; resist the urge to rush through what players might expect to be a faster, tighter version of the melody.
• The barnyard sound effects demand committed characterization from the trombone and trumpet players. Rehearse those passages separately so they land with precision rather than sounding like mistakes.
• Balance the tuba lead carefully against the other voices so the rollicking quality comes through without the bottom end overpowering the melodic line.
• Schedule a brief pass through the piece near the end of your rehearsal block when players are relaxed enough to commit to the humor without self-consciousness.

Place this as your final selection after more substantial or serious works; audiences need the permission that a novelty piece gives them to fully enjoy the lightness. It also functions well as a warmup or icebreaker during a sectional rehearsal where you need to reset the room's energy.

• Secure ensemble intonation in 3/4 meter
• Executing rhythmic coordination across five independent lines
• Balancing solo and accompaniment roles within a quintet texture
• Stylistic flexibility and commitment to character in contemporary arrangements
• Non-traditional extended techniques (barnyard sound production on brass instruments)