The Girl I Left Behind Me (from the Irish Suite): E-flat Alto Clarinet
The Girl I Left Behind Me (from the Irish Suite): E-flat Alto Clarinet Sheet Music Preview

The Girl I Left Behind Me (from the Irish Suite): E-flat Alto Clarinet

From the Irish Suite

Traditional / arr. Leroy Anderson

Grade: 4 (Medium)

Item: 00-PC-0014408_AC1
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Description
Re-released this year with a new full score and parts, this is the last movement of Anderson's "Irish Suite" drawn from familiar Irish folk tunes. The Girl I Left Behind Me is a driving energetic conclusion to Anderson's suite or any concert program as a stand-alone work. All movements are now available: I. "The Irish Washerwoman" (00-83181), II. "The Minstrel Boy" (00-32547), III. "The Rakes of Mallow" (00-30836), IV. "The Wearing of the Green" (00-30835), V. "The Last Rose of Summer" (00-32545) and VI. "The Girl I Left Behind" (00-32546).

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Additional Details
Series: Leroy Anderson Classics
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 230
SKU: 00-PC-0014408_AC1

More about this title

About the Arranger: Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (1908–1975) was an American composer and arranger whose gifts for orchestration and melodic charm made him one of the most recorded composers of the mid-20th century. His concert band and orchestra arrangements of folk material, particularly Irish melodies, demonstrate his talent for honoring traditional tunes while giving them orchestral sophistication and contemporary energy. Anderson's work remains a cornerstone of the concert band repertoire because it balances accessibility with genuine musicianship.

Why we love this

Anderson's final movement launches with infectious momentum and propels any program toward a satisfying close. The orchestration is brilliant without being difficult; every section gets engaging material and the energy never flags, making this an audience favorite that doesn't require gymnastic technique to execute well.

What to expect

Spirited and unstoppable, with the rhythmic drive of a traditional Irish reel reimagined for concert band. The melody dances forward with joy and familiarity, while the orchestration surrounds it with energy and color that feels both bright and anchored.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 4 level looking for a genuine finale that combines approachability with musical substance. This works equally well as the closing piece of a full Irish Suite program or as a standalone concert closer for mid-level ensembles.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the articulation in the rhythmic figures. Consistency across the woodwind section and brass drives the propulsive character; even small inconsistencies in the repeating patterns will blur the rhythmic punch.
  • Balance the melody when it moves between upper woodwinds and brass. The tune should sing clearly without the accompaniment drowning it out, which often happens when conductors let the supporting parts roll forward.
  • Commit fully to the tempo. This piece thrives on forward motion; holding back or slowing the pace defeats its purpose as a finale and flattens the infectious energy.

How to use it

Program this as your concert finale when you want an energetic send-off that leaves the audience smiling. It also fits naturally as the capstone to a complete Irish Suite program, or pair it with other folk-based concert band repertoire for a thematic concert around traditional material.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in repeated articulation patterns across sections
  • Balancing melodic material between woodwind and brass voices
  • Sustaining forward momentum and tempo consistency in driving, energetic music
  • Playing folk melodies with character and clarity in an arranged concert setting

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