Halvorsen - Suite Ancienne , arr. Mike Shaw for Concert Band

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Halvorsen’s Elegant Suite in the Old Style — Arranged by Mike Shaw

Johan Halvorsen (1864–1935) was a Norwegian composer, violinist, and conductor who played a central role in Norwegian musical life during the late Romantic era. He was a close friend and brother-in-law of Edvard Grieg, and his music shares Grieg’s gift for melodic beauty and national character. The Suite Ancienne (“Suite in the Old Style”) is one of Halvorsen’s most charming works — a set of elegant, dance-inspired movements written in the manner of Baroque and early Classical dance suites, with a graceful, refined character that belies its late Romantic origins.

This edition presents the Suite Ancienne in an arrangement by Mike Shaw, adapted for concert band. A delightful and relatively rare work that rewards both performers and audiences.

Performance Highlights

• An elegant suite in the old style by a leading Norwegian Romantic composer
• Graceful, dance-inspired movements with a refined Baroque character
• Halvorsen: close friend and brother-in-law of Edvard Grieg
• Arranged by Mike Shaw for concert band
• Digital PDF download — print-ready score and parts included

About the Arranger

Mike Shaw (1959–2025) served for twenty-five years as Director of the Wind Ensemble at Frontier High School in Western New York, where he built the band program from 26 members to over 200 students across three ensembles. Under his direction, Frontier ensembles earned numerous “Gold with Distinction” and “Superior” ratings at State and National Festival evaluations, and performed at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester and the MENC Eastern Division In-service Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2009 he was appointed Musical Director and Conductor of the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, leading the band to four American Legion Senior Band Championships. Prior to Frontier, he taught in the Iroquois, Gowanda, and Williamsville School Districts.

Shaw held a Bachelor of Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master of Music in Woodwind Performance from SUNY Buffalo. He studied saxophone with Lawrence Wyman, Edward Yadzinski, and the legendary Sigurd Rascher, and pursued postgraduate conducting studies with Donald Schleicher, Russell Mikkelson, Ray Cramer, Robert Ponto, Glenn Price, Craig Kirchoff, Gary Hill, and Paula Holcomb. He performed with the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tonawanda Legion Band, and the Erie County Wind Ensemble, and served the New York State School Music Association as All-State Band Chairperson for four years.

This is a digital product. No physical materials will be shipped. For personal and educational use only — not for resale or redistribution.