Down by the Glenside

Item details

• Description +

  • Program Notes
    
    “Down by the Glenside” (also known as “The Bold Fenian Men”) is an Irish rebel song and folk air. It was written around the time of the 1916 Rising, referring back to the Fenian Rising of 1867, as a call for Irishmen and women to rise up again. The tune in its original form is haunting and powerful. I first heard it during a study abroad in Ireland. While hiking along the edge of campus, one of our classmates began singing it and invited us to join in. By the end of the tune, we had all picked up on the melody and were singing in harmony. It is one of my fondest memories and solidified my love for Irish culture and history.
    
    Performance Notes
    
    The opening chorale should be played very expressively, without a strict tempo. The first two pages are a reflection and mourning of the soldiers that fought for the freedom of their country. At measure 17, the rhythms notated are more of a reference to the original tune and general note length, rather than a dictated way of playing the melody. The right hand from measure 47 through 55 should create a lot of tension, but allow it to settle underneath the moving notes in the left hand.
    
    Measure 56, start slow and build to the tempo marked “Joyful”. This should be gradual and dramatic. Although the tempo is marked at dotted quarter note equals 60, you can get away with the tempo being slightly slower (around dotted quarter equals 52-60). The last two eighth notes should be played as pick-ups to measure 108.
    
    Measure 116 to the end is back to the expressive feel from the beginning. Take your time with the last few measures and really let the emotions settle at the end.

• Instrumentation +

  • Marimba (5.0 Octave)

• Watch+

• About the composer +

  • Jared Coller is an active percussionist and composer from Northwest Indiana. Jared is a regular member of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, Windiana Concert Band, and several area city bands. Jared also plays percussion and drum set for many area theatre companies.
    
    As an in-demand soloist, Jared has performed several major solo works with orchestra and concert band including Creston’s Concertino for Marimba, Beeson’s Prometheus Rapture, and Ford’s Stubernic Fantasy. In March 2025, Jared performed the world premiere of Kjell Roikjer’s Concerto No. 2 for Xylophone and Orchestra with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, published by Edition Svitzer.
    
    Jared is a graduate of Valparaiso University and past participant in the World Percussion Group Academy. Jared is a proud endorser of Artifact Percussion sticks and mallets.

• Credits +

  • With support from Koda’s Cultural Funds
    Front Cover Graphics and Layout: Caitlyn Coller
    Photo: Bob Wellinski
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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