Swansea Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$47.00 USD

Swansea Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Swansea Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-45762
Price: 47.00 USD
Availability: InStock

From Gustav Holst's Second Suite for Military Band

English Folk Song / arr. Gustav Holst / adapted by Michael Story

Grade: 0.5 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-45762

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The charming folk song chosen by Gustav Holst is found early in his revered Second Suite. Scored for first year players, this is a sea shanty originally from southern England. Historic and musical, this adaptation will be enjoyed by all! (1:30) 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, Swansea Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Belwin Very Beginning Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 130

ISBN10: 1-4706-6320-1

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6320-9

UPC: 038081529301

SKU: 00-45762

More about this title

About the Arranger: Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874–1934) shaped the sound of British wind band music through his two suites for military band, works that remain cornerstones of the concert band repertoire. His genius lay in choosing folk material with genuine character and orchestrating it with clarity and warmth, creating pieces that teach and delight in equal measure.

Michael Story's arrangements have made foundational repertoire accessible to young ensembles without sacrificing musicality. His work on this adaptation preserves Holst's orchestration while ensuring that beginning musicians can realize the piece with confidence and joy.

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Why we love this

This brings a slice of authentic British wind band tradition into the first-year classroom without asking more of your young players than they can deliver. The folk melody is memorable enough to sustain interest, and Holst's original concept from the Second Suite gives the piece real musical legitimacy alongside its pedagogical value.

What to expect

Salty and grounded, like a story told by someone who knows it well. The melody carries the steadiness of a sea shanty, supported by warm harmonies that give the piece substance without complexity. There's something honest in the arrangement, a quality that makes young musicians feel they're playing real music.

Who it's for

Beginning concert bands in their first or second year of study, especially ensembles ready to move beyond exercise material into genuine repertoire. This works for middle school and high school groups building foundational ensemble skills, and for community bands welcoming new members.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the melodic line singing and unhurried; the sea shanty character depends on phrase shape, not technical display.
Balance the harmony parts so the folk tune emerges clearly; this teaches listening and blend in the most natural way.
Mark the harmonic rhythm in rehearsal to help the ensemble hear the underlying structure and stay together across longer phrases.
Communicate the origin story (English sea shanty) to your students; knowing the context brings authenticity to their playing and engagement to the performance.

How to use it

Program this on a concert exploring folk traditions or British composers; it pairs naturally with other accessible Holst work or with contemporary folk-inspired pieces. It's also ideal as a contest or festival selection, since the 1:30 duration and straightforward demands fit many formats while still showcasing ensemble musicianship.