Ash grove (2020)

The Ash Grove is a traditional Welsh folk song dating back to the early 1800's. The melody has been used by numerous composers in a variety of ways over the ...

This piece was recorded by: Kyle Brown, Anne Martin, Kathryn Brimhall, Drew Connolly, Trevor McLain, Celeste Terry, Justyn Paul Davis, Kadeem Sabari, Alex Clark, Ezekiel Q. Webber, Jordan Laird, Travis Kelly, Adam Vernon-Young, Alissa Castro-Evans, Blake Fowler, and Michael Standard.

Flex Band

Kyle W. Brown (b. 1995)

Duration: 3’30”

Program Notes: The Ash Grove is a traditional Welsh folk song dating back to the early 1800’s. The melody has been used by numerous composers in a variety of ways over the years. I’ve always been inspired by folk songs, and this one holds a special place in my heart. This song is the first folk song that I can remember singing with a choir. It has been dancing in the back of my mind ever since. This version is inspired by traditional wind band sounds (Percy Grainger, Gustav Holst, etc.) and post-minimal techniques (John Adams, Adam Schoenberg, John Mackey, etc.)

Flexible Instrumentation:
Part 1 intended for Piccolo, Flute, and Oboe (but can be doubled by Clarinet). Oboe and Clarinet take bottom split/no 8va where appropriate.
Part 2 intended for Oboe, and Clarinet (can be doubled by Flute).
Part 3 intended for Alto Saxophone (can be doubled by Clarinet or English Horn).
Part 4 intended for Trumpet (can be doubled by Flute (top split), Oboe, or Clarinet).
Part 5 intended for Horn, Euphonium, Tenor Sax, and Bassoon (can be doubled by Alto Saxophone, Trombone, Bass Clarinet).
Part 6 intended for (Bass) Trombone, Tuba, Bassoon, Bari Saxophone, and Bass Clarinet (can be doubled by String Bass).
Bells intended for Glockenspiel, can be doubled by Xylophone, or Vibraphone (piano, piccolo, or flute if necessary). Mallet part intended for Xylophone, Marimba, (can be doubled by piano, piccolo, or flute if necessary)
Percussion line intended for 2 percussionists, can be reduced to 1 player on a drum kit if necessary (with some adjustments). Instruments: Bass drum, suspended cymbal (crash if allowed), triangle, snare, tambourine (could be played on side with mallets if necessary)