Yorkshire Ballad, 2nd Edition: Flex Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By James Barnes / Arranged by Clarence Barber
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00679883
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Description
New flexible ensemble arrangement by Clarence Barber, based on the second edition rescored by the composer, playable on any SSATB combination of woodwind, brass, or string players with optional percussion. Written in the summer of 1984, Yorkshire Ballad was premiered at the Kansas Bandmasters Association Convention by Claude T. Smith and the Kansan Intercollegiate Band. Since its publication, it has become one of the composer's most popular works, and has been arranged for a variety of ensembles. The composer writes, "I composed this little piece so that younger players would have the opportunity to play a piece that is more or less in the style of (Grainger's) Irish Tune from County Derry."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00679883
More about this title
About the Composer: James Barnes
James Barnes is a prolific composer and conductor whose works have become staples in music education repertoire. His compositions emphasize accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, making him a trusted voice for directors seeking repertoire that engages students while building genuine musicianship.
Why we love this
Barnes wrote this piece with younger players specifically in mind, and it shows in every phrase. The flexible instrumentation means you can actually program it with your available players rather than reworking your ensemble to fit the score. The orchestration feels full and intentional regardless of which voices you use.
What to expect
Yorkshire Ballad unfolds with the unhurried dignity of a folk melody. Its harmonic language sits comfortably in accessible territory while maintaining emotional warmth, creating space for players to focus on tone production and phrase shape rather than wrestling with technical demands.
Who it's for
Conductors managing mixed instrumentation or developing flexible programming systems will find this arrangement indispensable. Grade 3 ensembles with variable instrumentation can tackle genuine concert repertoire without compromise.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic line across your available instruments. The tune should sing clearly even when divided among different sections.
- Keep the harmonic foundation steady with your lower voices. This gives the melody room to breathe and prevents the piece from sounding thin.
- Attend to the character suggested by the title. This ballad invites a narrative quality; let it tell a story rather than treating it as a technical exercise.
- Use the optional percussion thoughtfully. Restraint here honors the piece's lyrical nature while strategic placement can underscore structural moments.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert opener that establishes an introspective mood, or as a contrasting piece in a program mixing styles and genres. Its direct connection to the Grainger aesthetic positions it naturally alongside other folk-inspired works in a thematic programming scheme.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long melodic phrases without breaks
- Balancing ensemble blend across mixed instrumentation
- Maintaining steady harmonic support beneath a moving line
- Responding to the expressive character of folk melody
- Reading flexible instrumentation scores