The Cuckoo: 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone
Traditional / arr. Todd Stalter
Grade: 1.5 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0018431_AX2
$3.00
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Description
The Cuckoo is a traditional English folk song that is also common in Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. In the United States, it is most often associated with Appalachian folk tradition, and features the familiar bird's call, which is clearly heard throughout the piece. (2:10) 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, The Cuckoo: 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Challenger Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
116
SKU:
00-PC-0018431_AX2
More about this title
About the Composer: Todd Stalter
Todd Stalter spent 34 years building one of Illinois's most successful high school band programs at Eureka High School. His marching band won 16 Class 1A state championships, his concert band earned consistent Superior ratings at IHSA contests, and his ensembles performed at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Walt Disney World, as well as competing as festival champions at the Cotton and Liberty Bowls. He was inducted into the Illinois State Marching Band Championships Hall of Fame.
As a conductor, Stalter has led All-State Bands in Georgia and Delaware, along with numerous Honor and district bands across the region. He remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, and composer, presenting at state music educators conferences and contributing arrangements and original works to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series published by GIA. He holds degrees from Illinois State University in Music Education and Trumpet Performance, where he studied conducting with Dr. Stephen K. Steele.
Why we love this
Stalter knows exactly what young bands need: music that captures attention immediately and sounds far more accomplished than the grade level suggests. The familiar cuckoo call gives students an iconic sound to latch onto, building confidence from the first rehearsal while the accessible orchestration lets every section contribute meaningfully without technical demands that steal focus from musicality.
What to expect
Pastoral and charming, with that instantly recognizable bird call creating a sense of English countryside tradition. The piece unfolds with gentle humor and warmth, letting the familiar melody carry the narrative while the band provides supportive color and texture.
Who it's for
Young concert bands at the very beginning of their journey. At Grade 1.5, this works beautifully for middle school groups, younger high school bands, or community ensembles with mixed experience levels. The simplicity frees rehearsal time for teaching ensemble balance and phrase shaping.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring out the cuckoo figure wherever it appears; this is your hook. Even in background parts, clarity here keeps the audience engaged and reminds students why they're playing this piece.
- Balance the folk melody against the supporting voices so the tune sings through. Young bands often bury the tune by playing all parts at the same dynamic level.
- Use rubato sparingly in the folk song passages. Let the natural phrasing of the melody breathe rather than locking into strict metronomic time.
How to use it
Program this early in your year, perhaps in your first concert of the season. It serves as a wonderful confidence builder and audience favorite. The short duration (2:10) makes it ideal for filling out a festival or concert slot, or pairing with one or two other folk-based pieces to create a thematic program around traditional music.
Skills your students will build
- Balance and blend in harmonic context
- Melodic phrasing and natural breathing
- Voice independence when supporting a primary line
- Clear articulation of distinctive motifs (the cuckoo call)
- Reading and performing accessible band arrangements
- Maintaining steady tempo while shaping phrasal contours