Molly on the Shore

Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (ar. Rogers)

General Info

Year: 1920 (ed. 1998 by Rogers)
Duration: c. 4:10
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Shattinger Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $12.75

Instrumentation

Full Score
Compressed Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II-III (III sub for Eb Clarinet)
Oboe I-II
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet I-II-III-IV
Alto Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Contra Alto Clarinet in Eb/Contrabass Clarinet in Bb (sub for Contrabassoon)
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
Double Bass Sarrusophone in Eb
Soprano Saxophone
Special Alto Saxophone (sub for Soprano Saxophone)
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet in Bb I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion (5 min.)

• Side Drum (Tenor Drum)
• Big Drum (Bass Drum)
• Cymbals
  • Crash
  • Suspended
• Glockenspiel
• Hammerwood (Xylophone)
• Steel Marimba (Vibraphone)
• Marimba
• Celesta

(This set also includes supplemental European parts for Horn in Eb, Trombone in Bb, Tuba in Eb, and Tuba in Bbx)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

In setting Molly on the Shore I strove to imbue the accompanying parts that made up the harmonic texture with a melodic character not too unlike that of the underlying reel tune. Melody seems to me to provide music with initiative, whereas rhythm appears to me to exert an enslaving influence. For that reason I have tried to avoid regular rhythmic domination in my music -- always excepting irregular rhythms, such as those of Gregorian chant, which seem to me to make for freedom. Equally with melody, I prize discordant harmony, because of the emotional and compassionate sway it exerts.

Program Note by Percy Aldridge Grainger

Molly on the Shore receives frequent performances from high school and university ensembles, and it is certainly appropriate for a variety of concert programs. Although melodically straightforward, this brisk reel will provide several technical challenges, especially for younger players. For a successful performances, students must exhibit firm control over articulation and finger technique. Fast tonguing pervades the upper woodwind parts, and performers should approach the decorative triplet turns with care. Grainger's characteristically intricate tapestry of melodies and countermelodies is thoroughly enjoyed by audiences.

- Notes from Great Music for Wind Band

Commercial Discography

• Audio CD Michigan State University Symphonic Band (Keith Brion, conductor)
• Audio CD U.C.L.A. Wind Ensemble (James Westbrook, conductor)
• Audio CD London Wind Orchestra (Denis Wick, conductor)
• Audio CD Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra (Clark Rundell, conductor)
• Audio CD Columbus State University Wind Ensemble (Robert Rumbelow, conductor)
• Audio CD University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble (Malcolm Rowell, conductor)
• Audio CD University of Houston Wind Ensemble (Eddie Green, conductor)

Audio Links

Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

• Alabama: Class A
• Arkansas: V
• California: V Class A
• Florida: V
• Georgia: V
• Massachusetts: V
• Michigan: AA
• Mississippi: IV-A, V-A, VI-A
• North Carolina: VI
• Oklahoma: V-A
• South Carolina: VI

Recent Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Wind Festival Orchestra (Patrick Winters, conductor) - 17 March 2013 (34th Sutherland Wind Festival, Fresno, Calif.)
• Sacramento Symphonic Winds (Les Lehr, conductor) - 28 October 2012
• Cypress Springs High School Band (Justin Smith, conductor) - 21 May 2012
• Florida International University Wind Ensemble (Catherine Rand, conductor) - October 12, 2010
• Madison Wind Ensemble (Brian Vanderbloemen, conductor) - 18 November 2012
• Carrollton Wind Symphony (Jim Moen, conductor) - 25 July 2010
• Butler University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble (H. Robert Reynolds, guest conductor) - 6 October 2007
• Menomonee Falls High School Wind Symphony (Michael Zens, conductor) - 14 February 2013

Additional Works for Winds by this Composer

• Arrival Platform Humlet
• Australian Up-Country Tune (1905)
• Blithe Bells
• Children's March: "Over the Hills and Far Away"
• Colonial Song (1919)
• Country Gardens (1953)
• Died for Love
• Down Longford Way
• Duke of Marlborough Fanfare
• Early One Morning (arr. Kreines)
• English Waltz from "Youthful Suite" (tr. Rogers)
• Faeroe Island Dance
• Gumsucker's March (1942)
• Handel in the Strand
• Hill Song No. 1
• Hill Song No. 2
• The Immovable Do (1940)
• I'm Seventeen Come Sunday (tr. Daehn)
• Irish Tune from County Derry (1918)
• Lads of Wamphray March (1905/1937)
• Lincolnshire Posy (1937)
• Mock Morris
• Molly on the Shore (1920)
• Molly on the Shore (tr Ragsdale) (1978)
• Percy Grainger Portrait, A (ar. Wagner) (2010)
• The Power of Rome and the Christian Heart (1947)
• Scotch Strathspey and Reel
• Shepherd's Hey (1918)
• Spoon River (ar. Sheldon)
• The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol
• Themes from Green Bushes (arr. L. Daehn)
• Two Grainger Sweets - Harvest Hymn and Mock Morris (ar Krienes)
• Walking Tune
• The Warriors
• Willow, Willow
• Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon (1949)

Additional Resources

• Grainger, P.A. (ed. Rogers, R.M.)(1998). Molly on the shore [full score]. Southern Music Company: San Antonio, TX.
  • Nicholson, Chad. (2009). ‘’Great Music for Wind Band: A Guide to the Top 100 Works in Grades IV, V, VI.’’ Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications. pp 7-8.