Siciliano and Tarantella: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Michael Oare
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00479539
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Description
This distinctive work by Michael Oare is based on two Italian dance forms dating back to the Baroque period. "Siciliano" opens with a delicate 6/8 melody in the flutes which is developed and passed around to various sections of the band. In contrast, "Tarantella" is a brash and uptempo dance featuring a rhythmic pulse accompanying the flowing melodic lines. Quite a nice pairing of tunes with historical importance.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00479539
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Oare
Michael Oare shaped three decades of young musicians as director of bands at Great Bridge Middle School in Virginia, where his ensembles achieved an extraordinary record of superior ratings on state assessments. His work as composer and arranger has earned recognition through publications in the Teaching Music Through Performance series, and he remains active as a conductor, adjudicator, and performer with the Virginia Wind Symphony.
Why we love this
Oare crafts a program that sits comfortably at Grade 3 while offering genuine musical substance. The pairing of two contrasting Italian forms gives your band the chance to explore both textural delicacy and rhythmic drive within a single rehearsal unit, making efficient use of rehearsal time without sacrificing artistic depth.
What to expect
Siciliano opens with an intimate, graceful quality that invites players into careful ensemble listening as the melody travels across the band. Tarantella erupts with character and forward momentum, its rhythmic vitality a stark and exhilarating contrast that keeps audiences engaged.
Who it's for
Grade 3 bands seeking repertoire that honors musical history while remaining accessible for developing players. Directors building programs with cultural and stylistic variety will find these Italian forms especially useful for teaching ensemble listening and sectional independence.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening flute melody in Siciliano by having the accompanying voices sit well under the soloists; this 6/8 setting needs air and clarity to breathe.
- Keep the rhythmic pulse in Tarantella locked and propulsive without letting it become rigid; the tempo should feel dance-like rather than mechanical.
- When the Siciliano theme passes between sections, treat each entrance as a fresh voice entering conversation rather than a simple hand-off to avoid tonal discontinuity.
- Let the contrast between the two movements speak for itself; use the moment between them as a genuine pause to reset the ensemble's energy.
How to use it
Position this as a first-half closer on a concert featuring multiple short works, where its two-movement structure and accessible Grade 3 scoring fit naturally between larger ensemble pieces. The historical pairing also works well within units on world dance traditions or Baroque influences in modern composition.
Skills your students will build
- Interpreting compound meter (6/8) with proper rhythmic subdivision
- Passing thematic material between sections with consistent tone and phrasing
- Balancing solo and accompaniment roles within the same line
- Executing contrasting articulation styles between lyrical and rhythmic sections
- Building ensemble cohesion across multiple melodic and harmonic layers