Variations on a Scottish Folk Song

Inspired by the wonderful "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" by John Barnes Chance, Variations on a Scottish Folk Song builds variations on the traditional song "Ye Banks and Braes." It has a particularly beautiful and strong melody. The work opens creating a peaceful atmosphere before launching into the five dance-like variations.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 5:45

Instrumentation
1st Flute
2nd Flute
Oboe*
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet*
Bassoon*
1st Eb Alto Saxophone*
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone*
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
3rd Bb Trumpet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone*
3rd Trombone*
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

Timpani*
Xylophone*
Percussion 1* (wind chimes, snare drum)
Percussion 2* (triangle, bass drum, suspended cymbal, 2 toms)

Accordian*

Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intentions to be achieved.

Program Notes
The form and idea for the work belongs particularly to Brian Duguid who had in mind the wonderful "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" by John Barnes Chance. This setting was to be at a much easier level and to feature traditional Scottish dances and a march as the variations. The song upon which the variations are built is "Ye Banks and Braes," a traditional song with words by Robert Burns. It has a particularly beautiful and strong melody. The work opens creating a peaceful atmosphere with the musicians chanting a drone below some introductory fragments of the theme, which is then stated by the clarinets. The five variations begin with a Strathspey, a traditional dance featuring the "Scottish snap" rhythm, followed by a Reel, another dance in a flowing two beat tempo. The Strathspey is repeated and this is followed by a slow Highland Waltz. The percussion then take us into a traditional road march leading into the final variation which is a jig, gradually building up to a strong ending.