The Willow Tree by Michael Sweeney Concert Band - Sheet Music

By Michael Sweeney

Although this haunting tune has the flavor and sentiment of a traditional Irish folk song, it was composed in 1995 by multifaceted artist Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. Her inspiration for the song was the idea that when we are happy or sad, the elements and the natural world are aligned with our feelings. From the wistful lyrics of the song; “Down by the river there's a tall willow tree, who weeps all night for you and me.” This evocative setting for band follows this sentiment through peaks and valleys of sound and emotion. Dur: 3:10

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Details

Ensembles:
Concert Band
Publishers:
Hal Leonard
Series:
MusicWorks
Instrumentation:
1 - Baritone B.C. - 2 1 - Baritone T.C. - 2 1 - Bassoon - 2 1 - Bb Bass Clarinet - 2 1 - Bb Clarinet 1 - 4 1 - Bb Clarinet 2 - 4 1 - Bb Clarinet 3 - 4 1 - Bb Tenor Saxophone - 2 1 - Bb Trumpet 1 - 3 1 - Bb Trumpet 2 - 3 1 - Bb Trumpet 3 - 3 12 - Conductor Score (Full Score) - 1 1 - Eb Alto Saxophone 1 - 2 1 - Eb Alto Saxophone 2 - 2 1 - Eb Baritone Saxophone - 1 1 - F Horn 1 - 2 1 - F Horn 2 - 2 1 - Flute 1 - 4 1 - Flute 2 - 4 1 - Mallet Percussion 1 - 2 1 - Mallet Percussion 2 - 2 1 - Oboe - 2 1 - Percussion 1 - 2 1 - Percussion 2 - 2 1 - String Bass - 1 1 - Timpani - 1 1 - Trombone 1 - 3 1 - Trombone 2 - 3 1 - Tuba - 4
UPC:
888680687687
Format:
Score Set of Parts Collection / Songbook Score and Parts
Item types:
Physical
Level:
Grade 3
Artist:
Michael Sweeney
Arrangers:
Michael Sweeney
Usages:
School and Community
Number of Pages:
82
Size:
9.0x12.0x0.384 inches
Shipping Weight:
1.48 pounds

Score and Parts Concert Band (Score & Parts) - Grade 3

SKU: HL.4005121

Composed by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. Arranged by Michael Sweeney. MusicWorks Grade 3. Concert. Softcover. 82 pages. Duration 190 seconds. Hal Leonard #4005121. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.4005121).

UPC: 888680687687. 9.0x12.0x0.384 inches.

Although this haunting tune has the flavor and sentiment of a traditional Irish folk song, it was composed in 1995 by multifaceted artist Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. Her inspiration for the song was the idea that when we are happy or sad, the elements and the natural world are aligned with our feelings. From the wistful lyrics of the song; “Down by the river there's a tall willow tree, who weeps all night for you and me.” This evocative setting for band follows this sentiment through peaks and valleys of sound and emotion. Dur: 3:10.

  • The Willow Tree

  • Ratings + Reviews

    4.5 Rating

    4 reviews

    Anonymous

    Dec 17, 2025

    Excellent Repertoire for Developing Bands

    This Grade 3 arrangement of 'The Willow Tree' is a superb choice for intermediate school bands. Michael Sweeney masterfully captures the evocative, haunting Irish folk song feel. The clear engraving and well-distributed parts make it accessible for teaching rhythm and ensemble balance. Students will appreciate the emotional depth and beautiful melodies, making it a rewarding performance piece.

    Marcus J.

    Dec 17, 2025

    Solid Performance Piece for Concert Settings

    As an experienced band musician, I found Sweeney's 'The Willow Tree' to be a very reliable Grade 3 piece. It's well-scored for concert band, offering a rich, evocative sound. The parts are clearly laid out, which is crucial for efficient rehearsals and performances. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric work that fits well into diverse concert programs, easily prepared for a school or community event.

    David R.

    Dec 16, 2025

    A Joy to Play in My Community Band!

    I absolutely loved playing 'The Willow Tree' with my community band. The Grade 3 difficulty was just right for an enjoyable challenge on weekends. Michael Sweeney's arrangement captures the haunting, traditional Irish folk song vibe perfectly. It's a beautiful, expressive piece by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin that truly resonated with me. Highly recommend for any adult band player looking for an engaging and emotional piece.

    Anonymous

    Dec 15, 2025

    Thoughtful Arrangement for Ensemble Balance

    This concert band setting of 'The Willow Tree' is thoughtfully arranged by Michael Sweeney. As an ensemble coach, I appreciate how the Grade 3 scoring ensures each section has interesting lines that contribute to the overall texture without overcomplicating things. The arrangement effectively supports the lyrical, emotive core of Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin's original tune, creating a well-balanced and moving performance experience. Excellent for developing cohesive ensemble sound.

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    This score is ideal for school or community ensemble directors and musicians preparing for Grade 3 level performances. Its instrumentation for a Concert Band or Ensemble is perfect for showcasing this evocative setting, allowing musicians to benefit from its clear attribution and professional presentation. The Grade 3 level also provides a good indication of the performance difficulty.

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