The Holly and the Ivy

Description

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn in F, Trombone, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Percussion 1, Triangle, Tambourine, Percussion 2, Jingle Bells, Suspended Cymbal, Percussion 3, Tenor Drum, Bass Drum — This setting of the beautiful holiday song is accessible for very young bands. All melody sections are in comfortable ranges and the background parts are very interesting and yet, not difficult. All instruments get the melody at some point. Written in bridge form, it begins softly, with soft sleigh bells and clarinets below the break, adding flutes, then brass, then building to a minor section and a very short percussion feature. The section at m. 61 features bell tones under the melody and definitely will put the listener in the holiday spirit! The piece then slowly decrescendos back from where it came, to clarinets in the low register and soft sleigh bells. A good opportunity to teach the students about bridge form.Be sure to keep the same tempo throughout, and although you will want to start softly, keep enough air moving to have good tones in the beginning and closing sections. Time spent on the fp bell tones will really make this setting sparkle! Lots of percussion, but feel free to add more if you need to keep everyone participating. It can also be performed with just a few percussionists, but make sure you cover the sleigh bell part! This setting of the beautiful holiday classic is accessible for very young bands. Its memorable melody, notated in a comfortable range, is passed around the sections of ensemble as the other parts play accompaniments that are interesting, yet not difficult. Written in bridge form, the piece begins softly, with soft sleigh bells and clarinets below the break, adding flutes, then brass, then building to a minor section and a very short percussion feature, making it a great opportunity introduce students to this form!

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