The Holly and the Ivy: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arr. Michael Story
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0002147
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Description
The traditional holiday carol is set in motion with the clarinet section establishing the tonality and the flute section stating the melody. The full ensemble rallies creating intricate sounding variations. The finale restates the initial theme effortlessly. This well-known holiday classic will captivate your listeners.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Holly and the Ivy: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
140
SKU:
00-PK-0002147
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans concert band, jazz ensemble, and educational settings. His arrangements for beginning and intermediate bands are known for their musical sophistication paired with technical accessibility, making them staples in school music programs across North America.
Why we love this
Story's approach to this familiar carol respects the tune while building genuine ensemble interest from the ground up. Rather than relying on doublings, he orchestrates clarinet and flute colors distinctly, then layers the full band into something that sounds far more complex than the Grade 1 difficulty suggests. Your band will sound polished, and your audience will hear a fresh take on a melody they thought they knew.
What to expect
Warm and dignified, like the carol itself, but alive with band color. The clarinet and flute conversation draws you in immediately, and the full ensemble sections arrive with genuine brightness rather than forced noise. There is space for the melody to speak and room for young musicians to contribute meaningfully.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands ready for a holiday program centerpiece that carries weight without overwhelming young players. Directors serving groups in their first or second year of playing together will find the Grade 1 designation honest; no hidden technical traps, just musical work worth doing.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the clarinet foundation carefully in the opening; they establish tonality, so their intonation and blend set the foundation for everything that follows.
- Shape the flute melody entrance with a gentle dynamic curve rather than playing it flat. The listeners need to hear this statement clearly, but not isolated from the clarinet's warm harmonic support.
- Bring out the 'intricate sounding variations' by isolating each section's rhythmic and melodic role in rehearsal. Young players often sink into unison when they should be hearing their individual line's purpose.
- The finale restates the theme; conduct it with conviction and let it breathe slightly. This is your moment to crown the piece with confidence.
How to use it
Anchor your winter concert's second half with this piece. It lands after a more energetic opener and gives the ensemble a moment of musical coherence before a final selection. The familiarity of the tune also settles an audience, making it an excellent palate cleanser between contrasting works.
Skills your students will build
- Blending clarinet and flute sections to create unified harmonic color
- Balancing melody against accompaniment in a layered texture
- Sustaining pitch and tone quality through longer phrases
- Following sectional cues and entrances without relying on full band sound
- Shaping a familiar melody so it sounds fresh and intentional