Klarinet Archive - Posting 000439.txt from 1995/06

From: Lynn Thomas <thomas@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: Music for *young* Clarinet Ensembles
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 09:43:12 -0400

My students put on recitals every year, both solo and ensemble. I use a
lot of ensemble music within the lesson structure, because I am a
stickler on listening. Some music I've found worthwhile is:

Grade 1: 25 Trios (Below the Break) for Bb Clarinets by Colin Cowles
Publisher: Studio Music Company, London
Very nice selection, they get progressively harder both
rhythmically and in articulation. Kids love them.
They have separate parts in addition to the score.

Grade 2: Clarinets 3: 39 Easy-to-Play Recreational Pieces for Clarinet
Trio by John Cacavas. Publisher: Carl Fischer
In score/book style, no separate parts. Folk tunes, classical
exerpts, marches, you name it. Tunes they "know"...

Grade 2: 4 Tone Folio by Irving Cheyette and Charles J. Roberts
Publisher: Carl Fischer
This one be an old book...don't know if they still publish
it, but it's very nice. There's also one of these for saxes
that I like a lot. Mostly classical.

Grade 2/3: The Student Clarinetist, Book 3, by Benjamin Spieler
Publisher: Player Press
All classical, progressively difficult duets and trios.

Misc. : Clarinet Sessions by Don Cassel and Livingston Gearhart
Publisher: Shawnee Press
This is a mish-mash book, trios, quartets, duets, solos,
tricks, dings, whistles. But one of the most beautiful
quartets for young clarinetists is in here - the Prayer
from Hansel & Gretel - a great arrangement. That alone
is worth the cost. I always have all my students buy it.

Grade 3: Clarinet Trios - Russian Composers, by Carl Rosenthal
Publisher: Edwin H. Morris & Company
It also says on the cover "also suitable for saxes or
violins" - I haven't used it much, but there's nice stuff
in here.

Grade 3/4: Bach for the Clarinet, Part 3, by Eric Simon
Publisher: G. Schirmer.
Nice arrangements. Score and separate parts.

Grade 4: A Study in Contrasts for Clarinet Choir by Sammy Nestico
Published by Kendor
When you get to grade 4 level, I go for the full choir. This
is one of my favorite pieces by one of my favorite arrangers.
Very lush. Kendor, BTW, has lots of this stuff. See if you
can't get a hold of their catalog somehow!

Anyway, this is just *some* of the stuff I use. Root around in your file
cabinets at school, through those old musty yellow pieces falling apart
and see if you can't find more stuff (that's how I found the 4-Tones for
clarinet and also sax).

Good luck!

Lynn