Variants on a Sea Shanty: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$49.00 USD

Variants on a Sea Shanty: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Variants on a Sea Shanty: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-41913
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Drunken Sailor

Various / arr. Robert Sheldon

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-41913

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$49.00

Shipped

One moment…

"Drunken Sailor" is among the best-known of the sea shanties and became a popular song among non-sailors during the 20th century. The infectious tune has lyrics that ask the question, "What do we do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?" Each subsequent verse suggests various forms of punishment for the poor chap. This spirited arrangement is sure to delight audiences with a sparkling and energetic setting of this familiar tune. (1:25) "Variants on a Sea Shanty" correlates to Book 2, Level 3 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Variants on a Sea Shanty: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

No sample videos found.

Series: Sound Innovations for Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 136

UPC: 038081482392

SKU: 00-41913

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon's arrangements and compositions for wind band appear on contest lists and concert stages worldwide. His works have earned recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, and his facility with orchestration and melodic writing has made him one of the most frequently performed composers in the wind band repertoire. Beyond composition, Sheldon serves as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and maintains an active schedule as guest conductor for honor bands and clinician at universities and state music education conferences.

Sheldon's conducting and teaching have taken him across the United States and internationally to Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. His works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Boston Symphony Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education and the wind band art form.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Sheldon captures the rollicking spirit of 'Drunken Sailor' without sacrificing clarity or musicality. The arrangement sits comfortably at Grade 1.5, making it accessible to younger ensembles while remaining genuinely engaging to play and hear. Its proven connection to Sound Innovations Book 2, Level 3 means you can integrate it naturally into your curriculum or pull it out as a concert opener that lands every time.

What to expect

Buoyant and good-natured, with the swagger of a sailor's tale told with a wink. The arrangement fizzes with energy while the familiar tune keeps everything grounded and accessible, creating a performance experience that feels both playful and polished.

Who it's for

Beginning and developing concert bands looking for a showstopping opener or closer with immediate audience appeal. This works equally well for younger Grade 1.5 ensembles working to build confidence and for stronger groups seeking a spirited change of pace between larger works.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the rhythmic foundation between percussion and low brass from the opening; the propulsive energy of this arrangement depends on absolute precision in the accompaniment figures.
Shape the melody line with intentional phrasing rather than playing it straight through. Even at this grade level, small dynamic inflections and breath points make the tune sing and keep audiences engaged.
Balance the reeds carefully when the main theme enters in the upper voices. Let the melody shine without drowning out the harmonic and rhythmic support underneath.
Bring out the character shifts in different sections. Sheldon's arranging includes moments of brightness and moments of grit; conduct these transitions deliberately so listeners hear the shape of the piece.

How to use it

Open a concert with this piece to set an upbeat tone and draw immediate audience engagement. It also makes an ideal closer if you want to end on a moment of brightness and humor. The shorter duration (1:25) makes it a natural fit between longer concert works or as a bridge between contrasting pieces.