66 Festive & Famous Chorales for Band: E-flat Alto Clarinet, E-flat Contrabass Clarinet Book

Erickson's arranging sensibility shines throughout this collection. He respects the integrity of each chorale while tailoring parts for the specific demands of clarinet doubling; the alto and contrabass clarinet lines sit naturally in their registers and complement the broader band texture without pretension. Sixty-six selections means you'll find genuine variety in style, era, and mood, making this a genuinely useful resource rather than a decorative one.

These chorales carry the contemplative depth of their original sources yet feel fresh in Erickson's voicings. The register distribution for clarinet creates a warm, blended sonority that feels cohesive across the band while allowing each voice independence and breath.

Band directors seeking reliable warm-up material that doubles as genuine musical study; alto and contrabass clarinetists who want substantial parts that contribute to ensemble sonority rather than filling space; programs building toward chamber ensemble work or requiring accessible yet musically coherent content.

• Balance the alto and contrabass clarinet parts carefully against the upper woodwinds and brass. These lower voices anchor the harmonic foundation, so they need clear presence without overwhelming the soprano line.
• Use the four-part SATB structure as a foundation for intonation work. Have the section lock onto sustained chords before adding motion, focusing on third and seventh relationships.
• Approach phrasing as a band unit rather than by section. The chorale format rewards unified breath points and consistent vibrato control across the entire ensemble.
• Experiment with tempo flexibility within individual pieces. Many chorales benefit from subtle rubato that honors the harmonic rhythm rather than metronomic uniformity.

Open rehearsals with a single chorale to establish ensemble focus and collective listening before tackling larger works. Alternatively, select five or six pieces that share thematic or stylistic connections and program them as a concert interlude, creating a short set that showcases refinement and control. The variety within the collection means you can rotate selections across the season without repetition.

• Balancing inner voices in four-part harmony
• Sustaining open voicings with steady intonation
• Phrasing within harmonic rhythm
• Listening and adjusting tone to match ensemble sonority
• Reading straightforward SATB arrangements with confidence