Give Me Your Hand (Flex Band Gr. 2.5)

Give Me Your Hand is a lush setting of the popular Irish harp tune Tabhair Dom Do Lámh, written in the early 17th century by Rory Dall O'Cahan. Set in 3/4 time, this flex band arrangement offers elasticity with several tempo & textural changes throughout, helping young performers to improve their musicality. Optional percussion parts add the perfect amount of color without overwhelming the winds.

Genre: 6-Part Flex Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: SpectraFlex Band Series
Level: 2.5 | Duration: 3:45

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (showing all transposed parts)
Condensed Score (in "C")

Adaptable Parts
(2 copies each of all parts for each listed instrument)
Part 1: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, Alto Saxophone
Part 2: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, Alto Saxophone
Part 3: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, F Horn
Part 4: Tenor Saxophone/Bass Clarinet, F Horn, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon
Part 5: Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Euphonium/Bassoon
Part 6: Baritone Saxophone, Trombone/Euphonium/B-flat Bassoon, Tuba

Percussion Parts
(100% optional)
Timpani: 3 drums
Glockenspiel
Chimes & Vibraphone
Percussion 1: Triangle, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 2: Bass Drum, Mark Tree

Program Notes
Give Me Your Hand" is a lush setting of the popular Irish harp tune Tabhair Dom Do Lámh, written in the early 17th century by Rory Dall O'Cahan. Set in 3/4 time, this flex band arrangement offers elasticity with several tempo & textural changes throughout, helping young performers to improve their musicality. Optional percussion parts add the perfect amount of color without overwhelming the winds.

I was first introduced to this tune in 2016 when I saw mandolinist Chris Thile and jazz pianist Brad Mehldau perform it in a live duo concert. It stuck with me all this time and knew I wanted to do something with it. Most versions are performed as a fairly quick waltz with a lilt, but I wanted to lean into the richer qualities of the wind band, using straight eighths throughout with only a couple of triplets. I encourage you and your ensemble to listen to several recordings, including The Chieftains (The Chieftains 5) and Chris Thile & Brad Maheldau (Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau).

– N.D.

ABOUT THE SERIES
The SpectraFlex Series for adaptable wind band offers flexibility with pieces across all grade levels, featuring traditional high-to-low scoring with 5 or 6 parts and optional percussion. Each part is transposed and playable by a multitude of wind or keyboard percussion instruments while maintaining the spectrum of sound we have grown to love about the wind band.