Songs of Old Kentucky: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$90.00 USD

Songs of Old Kentucky: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Songs of Old Kentucky: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-26842
Price: 90.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brant Karrick

Grade: 3.5 (Medium)

Item: 00-26842

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The Kentucky mountaineers have preserved a proud heritage of traditional ballads and other old Scottish and English folk songs brought to America by their ancestors. Borrowing from this wonderful genre of folk songs, this outstanding setting of "John Riley," "The Lonesome Scenes of Winter," "Sourwood Mountain," "Frog Went-a-Courting," and "Loving Hannah" is destined to become a band classic. Skillfully scored and imaginative in setting, Songs of Old Kentucky provides a charming vehicle for expressive playing. A delightful addition to your next concert! (6:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 244

ISBN10: 1-4706-5363-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5363-7

UPC: 038081293523

SKU: 00-26842

More about this title

About the Composer: Brant Karrick

Brant Karrick has shaped generations of musicians through his work as Director of Bands at Northern Kentucky University since 2003, where he oversees the full band program and teaches conducting, instrumental methods, and orchestration. His teaching career spans public schools in Kentucky, nine years at the University of Toledo, and doctoral study in music education at Louisiana State University (1991-1994). Beyond the classroom, Karrick maintains an active presence as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout North America and internationally.

As a composer and arranger, Karrick's works have been performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, South America, Japan, and Australia. His training under conductors Frank Wickes and composers David Livingston, Steve Beck, and Cecil Karrick informs his approach to writing for band. He holds professional memberships in NAFME, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, ASCAP, and the College Band Directors National Association.

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Why we love this

Karrick captures the soul of Appalachian tradition without relying on surface nostalgia. The orchestration respects the integrity of each folk melody while creating genuine concert-hall sophistication, and the Grade 3.5 difficulty allows bands to invest in expressive musicianship rather than technical scrambling. Five distinct tunes woven together give you programming flexibility and a piece that reveals new details with each rehearsal.

What to expect

Warm, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in Appalachian soil. The melodies carry the weight of centuries and preservation; Karrick's orchestration honors that history while giving it modern concert dress. There is both intimacy and grandeur here, a sense of gathering around something precious.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 3 to 4 level seeking repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for festival programming or concert performances where you want to celebrate American folk heritage without oversimplifying the arrangement.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the folkloric melody against the harmonic setting by establishing clear dynamic hierarchies in rehearsal. The accompaniment figures should support rather than compete with the tune being played.
Shape phrases through deliberate attention to breath points and rubato. Folk songs thrive on rubato; mark breath opportunities in parts early and remind players that flexibility serves the lyrical line.
Vary the articulation approach across the five songs. Listen carefully to which sections benefit from a warmer, sustained legato versus which can afford lighter staccato or marcato, since each tune has its own character.
Use the full six minutes effectively in concert. The length allows audiences to settle into the folk aesthetic; resist the urge to rush. Let the songs breathe.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a folk-themed concert or as a bridge between more formal concert works and lighter fare. The six-minute length and accessible difficulty make it ideal for a mid-concert moment where audiences can relax into storytelling. It pairs naturally with other American or British folk settings, or stands alone as a showcase of your band's musical maturity.