Volare: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu
By Domenico Modugno / arr. Jack Bullock
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0004658
$77.00
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Description
Literally translated from the Italian "to fly," "Volare" has been a widely recognized energetic ballad since its creation in the mid-50s. Recorded in widely diverse styles by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Bobby Rydell, among others, Domenico Modungno's spicy melody has most recently been used in television commercials. Jack Bullock's concert band scoring is certain to have them singing in the aisles. Woo-oh-oh-oh!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Volare: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Pop Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
236
SKU:
00-PK-0004658
More about this title
About the Composer: Domenico Modugno
Domenico Modugno (1928-1994) was an Italian singer-songwriter and actor whose career spanned music, theater, and film. He achieved international fame with "Volare" in 1958, a composition that became one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century and won the Grammy Hall of Fame. Beyond this signature work, Modugno was a prolific composer and performer in Italian popular music, bringing the melodic sensibility of mid-century European pop to global audiences.
Why we love this
Jack Bullock's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without requiring a vocalist, making it an ideal way to introduce audiences to a genuine pop standard. The Grade 3 scoring keeps the melody front and center while giving every section meaningful parts, so the band sounds full and confident. This is the kind of encore that leaves an audience smiling.
What to expect
Bright, energetic, and instantly familiar. The melody sits naturally in the band's range, with a warmth that recalls the swing and sophistication of 1950s vocal records, translated into orchestral color. You hear why Dean Martin and Sinatra made this song their own.
Who it's for
Concert band directors seeking accessible pop repertoire that works with groups at the middle school or early high school level. Bands looking to program a recognizable, audience-friendly work that doesn't sacrifice musicality or arrangement craft.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the rhythmic articulation crisp and synchronized across the woodwind sections; the melody's charm depends on precise rhythmic clarity in the accompaniment figures.
- Find the natural swing in the phrasing without dragging the tempo. Modugno's original has a propulsive, effortless quality that conductors sometimes lose by over-controlling the beat.
- Balance the melody voice against the harmony so listeners hear the singability of the tune. Many players will be inclined to play too loudly here; shape the dynamics to let the tune soar.
- Use the full 236 pages of scoring strategically. Check whether your instrumentation aligns with the written parts, and feel free to double or thin lines based on your band's strength in each section.
How to use it
Program this as a spring concert closer or pops concert centerpiece, where the audience recognition adds to the fun. It pairs well with other accessible standards and creates a natural segue into audience sing-alongs if that fits your concert style.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and accompaniment voices across the ensemble
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
- Phrasing and shaping a recognizable vocal melody as an instrumental ensemble
- Reading parts from a full conductor score and extracting individual lines