Tales from the Sea: Score
A Sea Song Trilogy
Traditional / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002686
$10.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
A nautical trilogy with diverse styles will have your band floating! Included traditional themes are the bold "The Constitution and the Guerriere," the lyrical "Haul Away Joe," and the exciting "We'll Rant and We'll Roar." You can't go wrong with this highly effective Michael Story work. A stunning choice for contest or concert! 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, Tales from the Sea: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
250
SKU:
00-PR-0002686
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose catalog spans concert band, wind ensemble, and orchestra repertoire. His work is known for accessibility without compromise—his Grade 2 and 3 pieces remain engaging for audiences and rewarding for musicians, making them fixtures in school programs nationwide.
Story has long understood what young musicians need to build confidence and musicianship. His arrangements of traditional material preserve the character and energy of source material while writing idiomatically for developing players, a skill that distinguishes his work in the educational canon.
Why we love this
Three seafaring tunes, three completely different moods, all served at Grade 2 with real musical substance. Story's gift here is structural clarity: each movement stands on its own, yet the collection feels intentional rather than patchwork. Contest judges appreciate the variety, and your band stays engaged through rehearsals because no two movements demand the same musical thinking.
What to expect
Stepping aboard a sailing vessel with crew and cargo. The Constitution movement surges with naval pride and authority; Haul Away Joe settles into the rhythmic work and yearning of seafaring labor; the finale explodes into the rollicking camaraderie of sailors ashore. Traditional melodies anchor every moment, yet Story's orchestration keeps the sound modern and ensemble-friendly.
Who it's for
Directors programming Grade 2 concert band and seeking repertoire that works equally well in festival settings and community concerts. The piece appeals to developing ensembles that benefit from clear form and diverse stylistic demands without overwhelming complexity.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the energy in 'The Constitution and the Guerriere' through dynamic contrast and crisp articulation rather than simply playing louder; let the march-like character emerge from rhythmic precision in the lower voices.
- Balance the lyricism in 'Haul Away Joe' by asking your ensemble to think of the melody as a vocalist would—with breath, phrasing, and a warm tone that sustains across bars rather than resetting at every measure line.
- Shape 'We'll Rant and We'll Roar' with attention to tempo and character; this finale needs forward motion and rhythmic vitality to land well after the lyrical second movement.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece that speaks to younger audiences without talking down to them, or lead a festival set with it to establish energy and accessibility before moving into heavier works. It also serves as an excellent teaching vehicle mid-year when your band is ready to tackle style contrasts and longer multi-movement repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Lyrical phrasing and sustained tone in contrasting styles
- Articulation control across march, folk, and sea shanty idioms
- Rhythmic precision in traditional and syncopated meters
- Dynamic shaping and ensemble balance across diverse textures