The Boys of Wexford: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Sammy Nestico's arrangement captures the dignity and forward momentum of this Irish march without sacrificing its folk character. The orchestration sits perfectly for Grade 4 bands: substantial enough to sound serious and rehearsed, yet manageable enough that ensemble balance and intonation remain the focus rather than technical scrambling. Programming a piece with genuine historical and cultural weight, arranged by one of America's finest wind band composers, elevates any concert.

Sturdy and purposeful, with the lift and character of a traditional Irish march. The melody carries an inherent dignity that reflects its origins in folk tradition, while the arrangement provides modern harmonic support that never overshadows the tune's essential character. There's warmth here alongside strength.

Grade 4 concert bands seeking repertoire with historical substance and cultural significance. Directors programming concerts that benefit from American patriotic context (the Kennedy connection adds fascinating programming notes) or exploring Irish heritage and traditional music.

• Establish a steady, march-like pulse from the downbeat. This tune thrives on forward motion, not lingering. Resist the temptation to drag the melody for emotional effect.
• Balance the melody line across the sections that carry it. Whether brass, woodwinds, or a combined group is playing the tune, ensure it projects clearly without drowning out harmonic support.
• Shape phrases with small dynamic swells rather than drastic contrasts. The architecture of the melody unfolds naturally when you highlight the arc of each phrase without sudden drops or jumps.
• Pay attention to articulation consistency across the ensemble. A march this straightforward lives or dies by uniform tonguing and breath placement, especially in accompanying figures.

This works well as a centerpiece march in a concert program, or paired with other folk-based or heritage pieces to create thematic unity. The historical narrative around Kennedy's request and the 1798 Rebellion gives you rich program notes that engage audiences beyond the music itself.

• Maintaining steady tempo in march idiom
• Balancing melody and accompaniment textures
• Shaping folk melodies with phrase awareness
• Articulation consistency across ensemble
• Reading and executing straightforward Grade 4 concert band parts