Star of the County Down: 1st B-flat Trumpet
Star of the County Down: 1st B-flat Trumpet Sheet Music Preview

Star of the County Down: 1st B-flat Trumpet

Traditional Irish Folk Song / arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-PC-0018548_T1
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Description
Based on the Celtic music of Ireland and Scotland, often modal in tonality and simply stated melodically, this piece presents a richly woven tapestry of local culture, history, folklore, and deeply personal experiences. The free-flowing, lyrical melodic style of this well-known Irish tune enhances dynamic balance, breath support, phrasing, and stylistic nuances. (3:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Star of the County Down: 1st B-flat Trumpet 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: Belwin Young Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 124
SKU: 00-PC-0018548_T1

More about this title

About the Arranger: Douglas E Wagner

Douglas E Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Butler University. He spent three decades in the classroom as a high school music educator and administrator before dedicating himself fully to composition and arranging.

Since 1973, Wagner has published more than 3,500 works across choir, concert band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, and voice. His music has reached audiences through concert halls, television, radio broadcasts, and performances worldwide, with over seventeen million copies in circulation. He now lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy.

Why we love this

Wagner's arrangement captures the essence of this beloved Irish melody without overshadowing it. The Grade 2 voicing keeps all sections engaged in meaningful musical work while the modal harmony and lyrical phrasing create an authentically Celtic soundscape that students genuinely enjoy playing.

What to expect

The piece unfolds with the unhurried grace of a traditional tune passed down through generations. Modal harmonies and simple, direct melodic writing create an intimate, reflective mood that invites listeners into scenes of Celtic landscape and heritage.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits concert bands at Grade 2 level and works equally well for community or young adult ensembles exploring traditional music. Directors seeking accessible literature that balances musical substance with student capability will find a strong fit here.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melodic line through dynamic layering. Let the melody sing clearly in the upper voices while inner parts support with careful dynamic balance.
  • Emphasize the free-flowing, unhurried character in your conducting and sectional rehearsals. This is about storytelling, not driving tempo forward.
  • Work breath support across all sections to sustain the longer phrases without sacrificing the modal character's gentle quality.
  • Bring out the folk-inspired harmonies by isolating passages where supporting voices establish the richness beneath the main tune.

How to use it

Program this as a lyrical centerpiece in a concert focused on world music or traditional repertoire. Its three-minute length and accessible style make it ideal for a moment of musical reflection between more energetic selections.

Skills your students will build

  • Phrasing and dynamic shaping in modal-based melodies
  • Sustaining tone quality across longer breath phrases
  • Balance between melody and harmonic support
  • Stylistic interpretation of folk and traditional music idioms

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