10110 Agincourt Song

Traditional

arranged Elgar Howarth

for 10-piece Brass Ensemble

Difficulty: Medium

Price £25.00

Programme notes:
This famous song was written to celebrate the great victory of Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
In the manuscript of the original it begins as a unison song, continues in 2 parts and has a chorus, 'Deo Gracias', in 3 parts. The fine melody is quite possibly borrowed from popular folk music.
This arrangement was made by Elgar Howarth for the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble

Performance notes:
The 1st and 2nd trumpet parts should be played on piccolo trumpets.
The style should be positive and clear throughout but be careful to maintain a majestic character, avoiding harshness of tone or articulation. This is a song celebrating victory at war rather than an illustration of the battle itself!
The longer held notes at the ends of phrases can relax slightly in dynamic to allow other voices to be heard as the primary lines.
Aim for a noble sound in the unison trombone verse; full in tone but also rhythmic and clear.
In general, the trumpet lines do not need to be too loud; control the volume and aim for a bright, joyous character.