Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$63.00 USD

Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-39519
Price: 63.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Roland Barrett

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-39519

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This original work conveys the spirit of a festive backwoods jubilee, complete with Zydeco dance music---a unique style of popular music that evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century, combining elements of Cajun music, French dance melodies, traces of "la la" Creole music, and even remnants of Caribbean music. With lively tempos and a pronounced "backbeat" feel, break out your washboard and experience some Cajun merry-making. (2:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance: 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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Series: Belwin Young Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 264

ISBN10: 1-4706-6423-2

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6423-7

UPC: 038081452753

SKU: 00-39519

More about this title

About the Composer: Roland Barrett

Roland Barrett has shaped music education at the University of Oklahoma since 2001, where he teaches theory and composition with particular emphasis on 20th century music at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Beyond the classroom, he serves as musical arranger for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band and has established himself as a prolific composer and arranger with over two hundred published works across symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching contexts.

Barrett's music has reached audiences far beyond his home state. His compositions have been performed by the Dallas Wind Symphony, featured at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Convention, and broadcast on National Public Radio. He is a multiple recipient of the ASCAPlus award and has been recognized with the Michael Hennagin memorial scholarship in composition from the University of Oklahoma.

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Why we love this

This piece brings authentic Louisiana culture directly into your rehearsal space without requiring extensive historical context or specialized knowledge from your students. Barrett captures the infectious energy of zydeco with straightforward ensemble writing that lets Grade 2 bands play with genuine style and joy, making it an engaging choice for concerts that need personality and regional flavor.

What to expect

You step into a humid Louisiana evening where celebration is the only agenda. The music bounces with unforced energy, mixing French elegance with Creole and Caribbean flavors into something entirely its own. There's joy here, the kind that comes from community, food, and dancing that lasts well into the night.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level who are ready to explore American regional music traditions and want repertoire that teaches cultural awareness alongside technical skill. This works equally well for festival performances, educational concert programs, or any ensemble looking to broaden their sound palette beyond standard European concert band fare.

How to get the most out of it

Establish a locked groove between percussion and low brass first. The pronounced backbeat is the heartbeat of zydeco, so isolate these voices in sectional rehearsal before bringing in the melody.
Balance the washboard or percussion effects prominently in the mix. These instruments are culturally essential to the sound, not ornamental, so resist the urge to push them back.
Shape phrases with a gentle lift rather than rigid articulation. Zydeco breathes with a relaxed, celebratory feel that dies under overly precise attacks.
Emphasize rhythmic precision without losing swing. The backbeat should feel natural and dance-like, not mechanical or forced.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert to set an upbeat, accessible tone, or use it as a cultural bridge between more traditional works and contemporary pieces. The 2:45 length makes it a natural fit on mixed-genre programs where you want to include American folk traditions alongside classical and modern repertoire.