Concert band - Beginning - Digital Download
SKU: IZ.CBS1615
Composed by Daniel Jones. Score and Parts. 31 pages. Imagine Music - Digital #CBS1615. Published by Imagine Music - Digital (IZ.CBS1615).
9 x 12 in inches.
Reflections on a German Folk Song is based on the traditional round Himmel und Erde, which directly translated means
Heaven and Earth, however the common English title is Music Alone Shall Live. While teaching music for Saydel
Community School District in Des Moines, Iowa, I taught the round to elementary students and concluded that the folk tune
would lend itself well to young instrumentalists. Consequently, I set out to arrange the round for emerging band.
After an introduction based on motives and rhythms of the round, the tune is initially played by an alto saxophone solo (or
oboe). After a transition from the key of F Major to E-Flat Major, the band divides into three groups to play the three-voice
round. The entire round is repeated twice, exhibiting a lengthy crescendo and eventual diminuendo caused by the three
instrument groupings ending their voices in the round.
Having students perform a simple, yet lyrical round provides for a variety of educational opportunities. Similar to young
vocal ensembles, performing a round helps students to securely play with a group that is doing something different than
other sections of the ensemble, which ultimately assists in the transition to playing within a smaller, individual section or
independent part. Reflections on a German Folksong contains simplistic rhythms, which allows students to primarily focus
on phrasing, articulation, tone quality and dynamics.
