English Folk Song Suite

This suite of folk songs is scored for woodwind quartet and a single unpitched drum. Although the nominal scoring is for flute, two clarinets, and bassoon, the piece has considerable inbuilt flexibility of scoring.

The options for instruments on each part are as follows:

• Part 1: Flute, oboe, or soprano saxophone
• Part 2: Bb Clarinet or alto saxophone
• Part 3: Bb clarinet, alto saxophone, or tenor saxophone
• Part 4: Bassoon, bass clarinet, or baritone saxophone

The piece may be played by any combination of these instruments. Where necessary, some passages have been transposed down an octave in the soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone parts. Where this occurs, the lower pitch is also included in the score. There are also a few notes in the bass clarinet part of the March which have been taken up the octave through necessity; similarly, this is indicated in the score.

The drum should be unsnared and of medium low pitch. A bodhran, tenor drum, low tom-tom or floor tom are suggested, although in the end it is up to the performer!