Review

Traditional
Appalachian Folk Songs for Children:

Arranged by Michael R. Brown


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Publisher: Wehr's Music House
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.wehrs-music-house.com

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

This work is an amusing setting of three light-hearted pieces. The first, A Frog Went A-Courting, is written in a humorous, hoe-down style with sixteenth note figures passed around the ensemble. The middle movement, An Inconstant Lover, is slow and lyrical, expertly orchestrated with second trumpet playing flugelhorn. The final movement, The Barnyard Song, features the well-known “I bought me a cat” theme. This piece will work beautifully in an educational program for school children or to provide contrast on a recital. There are no technical challenges making this piece accessible to most players. 

-Patrick Lawrence
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point