To Her Majesty's Delight: Percussion 3
By William Owens
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1793_PC3
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Description
Inspired by the favorite dance styles of Queen Elizabeth I, this original set of Renaissance-style dances opens with the regal and elegant Pavanne. Following is the sprightly La Volta, a leaping and turning dance in triple-meter. The final movement, the rollicking Galop, is a lively country dance and an exceptional way to showcase your ensemble in the middle of your program.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1793_PC3
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens brings three decades of classroom experience to every score he writes. A VanderCook College of Music graduate and Distinguished Alumnus, he spent 30 years directing bands in Texas before retiring in 2014, giving him an intimate understanding of what works in rehearsal and on stage. His catalog of over 300 titles for concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble has become foundational repertoire in music education, with many works appearing on required music lists across North America and analyzed in professional pedagogical texts.
Owes has received commissions from the South Plains College Department of Fine Arts, Phi Beta Mu International, and the American Bandmasters Association. He holds membership in ASCAP, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Association of Texas Small School Bands, and has been recognized with the Texas Bandmasters Association's Meritorious Achievement Award. His approach to composition for young musicians balances practical musicianship with genuine artistry, establishing him as a trusted voice in the field. He resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
Why we love this
Owens builds genuine Renaissance flavor without requiring your students to master period-specific instrumentation or complex historical context. The three contrasting dances sit perfectly at Grade 2.5, with the Pavanne offering an opportunity to showcase lyrical, controlled playing; La Volta giving students a rhythmic and metric challenge; and the Galop providing the kind of energetic, crowd-pleasing finale that reminds audiences why concert band matters.
What to expect
Opening with courtly elegance, the Pavanne establishes a sense of ceremony and grandeur before the piece pivots to the buoyant, triple-time energy of La Volta. The Galop arrives as a release, galloping forward with infectious rhythm and a distinctly folk-inflected joy that feels far removed from the Renaissance court where this suite began.
Who it's for
This set works for Grade 2.5 concert bands building repertoire for festivals, contests, and formal concerts. Ensembles working to expand beyond standard parade marches and march-based literature will find these dances approachable yet musically substantive.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the Pavanne with long, legato phrases and clear harmonic movement. Let the melody breathe, and avoid rushing despite its stately character.
- In La Volta, lock the triple-meter feel early in sectionals by having students conduct while playing. The leaping figures need rhythmic precision and a sense of lift.
- Balance the Galop so that the melody cuts through the rhythmic energy. This movement rewards crisp articulation and clear part independence without sacrificing ensemble cohesion.
How to use it
Program this suite as a strong anchor for the middle of your concert, where it provides contrast to heavier or more serious repertoire while showcasing your band's range and musicality. The three-movement structure gives directors a natural showcase moment; you could also perform the Pavanne and Galop as bookends with different repertoire between them, or stand alone as a complete thematic set.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long, supported phrases in Pavanne
- Reading and performing in triple meter (La Volta) alongside typical duple-meter material
- Ensemble balance and part independence at brisk tempos
- Understanding period style and historical context in contemporary composition
- Rhythmic precision and articulation clarity in dance-oriented writing