The Emerald Isle: 2nd Trombone
By Dave Black
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0000185_TN2
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Description
Beautiful and poignant, The Emerald Isle is a new work from popular Alfred composer Dave Black. This wonderful piece begins with a lovely melody that features the woodwinds, with horn chords in the background. The final section begins with percussion and is a jaunty Irish jig in 6/8 time. This is a great concert piece with plenty of chances to learn ensemble playing, 3-against-2 rhythms, and musical phrasing!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Emerald Isle: 2nd Trombone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Growing Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
276
SKU:
00-PC-0000185_TN2
More about this title
About the Composer: Dave Black
Dave Black is a percussionist and composer whose output spans film, television, education, and concert music. He holds a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from California State University, Northridge, and has performed and recorded with major entertainers and touring productions worldwide. His catalog includes more than 60 published compositions and arrangements across major music publishers, many of which have been commercially recorded.
Black's educational impact runs deep. He has authored or co-authored over 30 books, including Alfred's Drum Method (a global bestseller) and Sound Innovations for Concert Band, with combined sales exceeding two million units. His accolades include 26 consecutive ASCAP Popular Composer Awards, Grammy participation certificates, the Percussive Arts Society President's Industry Award, and a Gold Record certification for Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1. His compositions and arrangements have appeared as source material in numerous television productions and films, including Drumline.
Why we love this
Black writes with an ear for what works on the concert stage and what keeps young musicians engaged. The arc of The Emerald Isle, moving from lyrical woodwind writing into a driving 6/8 jig, creates natural momentum and gives each section of the band distinctive material to claim. Contest and festival judges consistently reward this kind of structural clarity paired with genuine musicality.
What to expect
The Emerald Isle opens with warmth and introspection, woodwind voices floating over gentle harmonic support. Then it transforms. The final section kicks into a spirited Irish jig that swings with joy and rhythmic vitality, inviting the full ensemble to celebrate.
Who it's for
This is ideal for Grade 3 concert bands seeking a piece with genuine musical substance and manageable technical demands. The work gives every section meaningful material and scales well across programs with varied instrumentation and experience levels.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the 3-against-2 rhythmic figures in sectional rehearsals before full-ensemble readings. Have one section play the triplet figure while another locks into the straight 2-feel; this builds independence and intonation control.
- Shape the opening melody with careful attention to phrase arc. The woodwinds carry the emotional weight here, so encourage players to breathe and shape as if singing, not merely reading notes.
- Lock the percussion entrance at the jig with clear stick clicks or a tap-off. The transition from legit writing into dance rhythm needs rhythmic precision to land with energy and humor.
- Balance the horn chords behind the opening melody; they should support, never overwhelm. This is where ensemble listening truly pays off.
How to use it
Program this as a mid-concert piece that shifts the mood from opening formality into something lighter and more spirited. It works especially well in spring concerts or family pops programs where the jig's infectious energy lands perfectly. It also rewards contest and festival appearances, where the writing and structural arc stand out among Grade 3 selections.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing 3-against-2 rhythmic relationships
- Playing in mixed meters (4/4 and 6/8 time signatures)
- Balancing melody and harmonic accompaniment across the ensemble
- Phrasing and shaping a lyrical melodic line
- Rhythmic precision in percussion-driven sections