Valdres: Score
By Johannes Hanssen / arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0001959
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Description
The Norwegian March Valdres is a respected composition found in the libraries of fine concert bands throughout the world. Robert W. Smith has reworked this piece, reducing the level of difficulty so that it can be enjoyed by almost any concert band. Sophisticated and elegant.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Valdres: Score 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 Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
130
SKU:
00-PR-0001959
More about this title
About the Composer: Johannes Hanssen
Johannes Hanssen (1874-1965) was a Norwegian composer and conductor whose marches became staples of the concert band repertoire. His work reflects the musical traditions and national character of Norway, with melodies that balance accessibility and sophistication. Hanssen's compositions have endured for over a century, proving that strong melodic writing and clear orchestration transcend trends in music education.
Why we love this
Robert W. Smith's arrangement preserves the noble character of Hanssen's original while making it genuinely playable for bands still building their foundational skills. At Grade 2, the part writing stays clean and the ranges stay honest, so musicians can focus on ensemble balance and the march's inherent dignity rather than fighting their instruments. This is the kind of piece that reminds a young band why concert music matters.
What to expect
Valdres unfolds with the stately elegance of a traditional Norwegian processional, combining a lyrical main theme with crisp rhythmic accompanimental writing. The orchestration feels full and balanced despite the accessible ranges, giving young players the experience of contributing to something substantial and genuinely musical. There's dignity here without pretension.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level, including middle school programs and developing high school ensembles. Directors seeking repertoire that sounds far more mature than its difficulty level, with a piece that works equally well in festival contexts and regular concert programming.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the main melody with a sense of forward motion; march tempo should feel purposeful but not rushed, allowing clarity in the supporting voices.
- Balance the brass section carefully in tutti passages. The melody often sits in multiple parts simultaneously, so blend rather than blend out.
- Pay attention to the articulation consistency among like instruments. Clarinets and cornets should tongue the same rhythmic figures identically.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish a confident tempo before the band learns the parts, so players internalize the march's character early.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece of a concert celebrating world music or as a mainstay of festival competitions where it consistently earns recognition. The piece also pairs well with lighter selections, anchoring a program with its straightforward march form and clear structure. At Grade 2, it's substantial enough to close a first half or anchor a thematic concert around Scandinavian traditions.
Skills your students will build
- Ensemble balance in multi-part textures
- Sustained tone control at moderate dynamic levels
- Consistent articulation across instrumental sections
- Phrasing within a march form
- Reading concert band instrumentation and ranges at Grade 2