Klarinet Archive - Posting 000026.txt from 1997/07

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Stranger on the Shore
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 17:44:50 -0400

On Tue, 1 Jul 1997, Lauren Peterson wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone had the capabilities to get the solo piece of
> "Stranger on the Shore"(clarinet theme from Mr. Holland's Opus)??
> It was written and first played by Acker Bilk and was a 1960's hit.

I haven't seen it in print, but I'm sure it exists. You could try a sheet
music store, especially one which has the computerized pop song catalog.
Then, you would just click on the song you want, and the computer will
print it out, in any key you want. (BTW, according to my best
recollection, the original version was in concert Bb, so you would need to
get the clarinet part in the key of C Major, and then get a piano version
in Bb if you want to play it accompanied.)

But, it would be a great ear-training excercise for you to figure this
melody out by ear, without seeing the music. Take your video tape of Mr.
Holland's Opus, and turn on your walkman-type tape recorder at the point
where this music is performed. Then, listed to your tape several times,
and play the melody on your clarinet, matching what you hear.
Unfortunately, I don't think the entire piece is ever heard in the movie,
but only the first couple of phrases. It would be better if you could get
a copy of Acker Bilk's original version. I'm not sure how you could do
that. Any suggestions, anyone?

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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