All Around the Circle
(I'se the B'y)
Bill Thomas
Ensemble: Concert Band
Grade: 3
Duration: 03:15
Year of Composition: 2008
Publisher: Eighth Note Publications
Year of Publication: 2010
Publisher Catalog Number: CB10180
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
Bassoon
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2
Trombones 1,2,3
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
[Mallet Percussion 1:] Bells
[Mallet Percussion 2:] Xylophone
[Percussion 1:] Snare Drum, Bass Drum
[Percussion 2:] Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals
[Percussion 3:] 4 Tom-toms
The first movement of a suite based on Canadian folk songs, each available separately:
I. All Around the Circle (I'se the B'y)
II. And Love is No More (She's Like the Swallow)
III. The Lonely Land (Pine Tree Gently Sigh)
IV. Blue Lake and Rocky Shore (Land of the Silver Birch)
Program Notes:
This piece is based on the Newfoundland folk song "I'se the B'y" (I'm the Boy). All Around the Circle was composed to introduce students to quartal harmonies, which are constructed using intervals of the fourth rather than the far more common tertian harmonies that are comprised of major and minor thirds. These unique harmonies give this work a fresh, exciting sound.
The title of the piece comes from the lyrics of the second verse of the song:
Hip your partner Sally Brown
Fogo, Twillingate, Morton's Harbour,
All around the circle!
(Eighth Note Publications)
