The Banks of Green Willow: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Robert Longfield
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00378593
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Description
Written by British composer George Butterworth in 1913, this classic work is based on two folk songs "The Banks of Green Willow" and "Green Bushes" (the latter also appearing in works by Grainger and Vaughan Williams). Butterworth died in World War I at the age of 31, and this composition remains his most popular, regarded as an anthem for "Unknown Soldiers." Here is a masterful setting for winds adapted by Robert Longfield. Dur: 3:50
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00378593
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Longfield
Robert Longfield is an accomplished arranger whose work focuses on making standard concert repertoire accessible to developing ensembles without sacrificing musical integrity. His arrangements prioritize clarity of voice leading and idiomatic writing for wind instruments, allowing younger players to experience substantial literature authentically.
Why we love this
Longfield's arrangement preserves the wistful, elegiac quality that makes this work endure while distributing the melodic material across your band so every section has something meaningful to play. At Grade 3, it sits right in that sweet spot where students can handle the emotional weight of the piece without wrestling with technical obstacles.
What to expect
This arrangement carries the melancholy beauty of English pastoral tradition: winding melodies that feel both familiar and timeless, gentle harmonic movement that emphasizes reflection over drama, and an overall sense of quiet dignity. The folk tunes emerge naturally from the ensemble, never forced, lending the work an intimate quality despite the full band sound.
Who it's for
Band directors working with high school or advanced middle school ensembles who need repertoire that brings maturity and emotional depth without overwhelming developing musicians. Students benefit from experiencing a real classical composition that respects both their capabilities and their musicality.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the folk melody so it sings above the harmonic support; resist the urge to let your woodwinds blend into anonymity behind the main line.
- Let silence breathe between phrases. Butterworth's original pacing depends on restraint, and younger players often rush through rests.
- Shape dynamics gradually across longer phrases rather than making sudden shifts; the piece works best when it feels unhurried and reflective.
- Tune the harmony carefully during sustained passages. Simple folk-inspired chords can expose intonation issues that faster music might mask.
How to use it
Pair this with other concert works to create a program that showcases emotional range; it works especially well as the centerpiece of a concert focused on folk traditions or as a poignant closing piece. The moderate length and accessible level make it suitable for festivals and adjudicated events where directors want their students to perform substantial literature with confidence.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long melodic lines with consistent tone quality
- Balance between melody and accompaniment textures
- Responding to legit conducting of rubato and phrase shaping
- Listening across sections to maintain tuning in sustained harmonies
- Understanding folk melody characteristics and phrasing conventions