Vive Les Canadiens!: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Hiscock threads together three distinct Canadian folk melodies into a single cohesive work that feels neither scattered nor forced. The arrangement respects each tune's character while demanding genuine musicianship from the quintet, making it rewarding for ensembles ready for Medium-Difficult material.

The work opens doors to Canadian musical identity through three beloved folk melodies, each carrying its own spirit. There's warmth and accessibility in the writing, yet enough harmonic interest and contrapuntal movement to keep experienced players engaged throughout.

Brass quintets with secure command of intonation and the stamina to navigate Medium-Difficult writing across five parts. This arrangement suits ensembles preparing for festival or contest play, or those seeking substantial folk-based literature with educational reach beyond the five players.

• Balance the inner voices against the outer melody so each folk song emerges clearly. The arrangement layers these tunes, and clarity in the middle voices prevents the texture from becoming muddy.
• Shape phrases with the folk idiom in mind, not the classical concert style. These melodies want a singing quality that reflects their origins as vocal and community music.
• Pay attention to the transitions between the three songs. Hiscock has crafted these moments deliberately, and a clean hand-off between tunes sharpens the work's overall architecture.

This piece serves well on festival or competition programs where folk-based arrangements receive strong reception. It also works effectively in educational contexts where directors want to highlight Canadian heritage or celebrate ensemble achievement at an intermediate-advanced level.

• Maintaining intonation across sustained ensemble chords
• Balancing multiple melodic lines within a single texture
• Shaping phrase contours authentic to folk music traditions
• Reading Medium-Difficult brass quintet parts with confidence
• Executing clean transitions between distinct musical ideas