Three Susato Dances from The Danserye: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

David Marlatt's arrangement opens Renaissance instrumental music to a full concert band without sacrificing the character that made these dances endure. The orchestration distributes melodic and rhythmic interest across all sections, so every musician feels invested in the outcome rather than watching from the sidelines. For bands at this level, it's a chance to explore historical style and ensemble blend while still enjoying genuine musical substance.

Bright, courtly, and direct. The dances pulse with Renaissance energy, alternating between moments of ceremonial grandeur (full ensemble, articulate fortes) and gentle, songlike passages that let the band's tone shine through. There's a sense of occasion and clarity throughout, as if the ensemble is performing for an actual court rather than rehearsing exercises.

Concert bands at Grade 2 level who are ready to explore music beyond standard contemporary marching or wind band fare. Directors seeking a bridge between pure technique work and historically informed musicmaking will find these dances accessible yet artistically substantial.

• Isolate the contrasts between forte passages and lyrical sections in separate rehearsals. Secure the brilliant articulations first, then layer in the sustained playing so students understand the stylistic range they're creating.
• Check articulation consistency across like instruments (all first clarinets together, all trumpets together) before running full sections. Renaissance style depends on precision that makes the ensemble sound as one voice.
• Balance the weight between melody carriers and supporting parts so accompaniment figures remain transparent. These dances work best when every line is audible but no single part overwhelms the others.
• Keep the tempo steady and energetic. These pieces live in their forward motion; rushes in faster passages and dragging in slower ones will flatten the Renaissance character.

These work beautifully as a concert centerpiece that signals artistic ambition without requiring a massive instrumentation shift or extensive rehearsal time. Pair them with contemporary works to show stylistic range, or use them as an entry point into a concert exploring the music that shaped Western music. They also serve as a tangible reference when teaching students about Renaissance forms and orchestration.

• Matching articulation across multiple instrumental families
• Terraced dynamic control and stylistic contrast within a single piece
• Blend and balance in Renaissance texture (transparent accompaniment, supported melody)
• Recognizing and executing period-appropriate phrasing and ornamentation
• Ensemble cohesion through coordinated style choices rather than individual expression