Christien James Rupp

There is great melodic material for the clarinet in band music. This project
contains excerpts from some of the finest and most well known melodies for the clarinet
in the band medium. While doing my undergraduate work at Western Michigan
University, I realized that I had missed playing some of the best solo and soli material
written for the clarinet. Either I was playing Bass Clarinet, or was not on the solo/1st part.
I had studied orchestral excerpts, which exposed me to the best music for my show more instrument,
as well as prepare me for orchestral auditions. I could see the purpose behind studying
the important solo and soli parts before playing in an orchestra. However, I couldn’t
understand why I wasn’t studying out of a similar book of band repertoire. After all, I
had spent years playing band music and most of my future experiences would be playing
music from this genre.

The primary purpose of this book is to give all clarinet students an opportunity to
study the best music for the clarinet using band music. The music chosen is based on
research and score study from the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association’s
Basic Music List. It is also based on the ideas and opinions of colleagues and
adjudicators. Many were willing to give their “Top Ten pieces that every high school
clarinet player should know.” It includes music from grades II-VI, but the majority is
grade IV-VI. I have purposely included some technical excerpts and some lyrical
writing. Not all of the music included was originally intended for the band, some are
orchestral transcriptions that are widely played in high school and college bands.

The second reason for this book is that, as a band director, I have often decided
what music I would play based on the strengths of my sections. If I wanted to play
“Festive Overture” with my band, I should have a clarinet player who can perform the
solo at a high level. This book will allow band directors the opportunity to have their
sections study the important solo and soli parts of the music they might be interested in
playing. The goal being that the entire section could practice and play “Festive Overture”
in advance of the first reading. show less