America the Beautiful: 2nd B-flat Clarinet
By Samuel A. Ward / arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0002104_C2
$3.00
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Description
A solitary timpani roll opens this sweeping work. With dignified majesty, America the Beautiful pays tribute to our great nation. In a very easy-play version, this Robert W. Smith scoring allows the patriotic anthem to be performed by the youngest or least experienced ensemble. It also serves as a quick-rehearsing title for those last-minute concert needs. Simple yet effective! (2:51)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, America the Beautiful: 2nd B-flat Clarinet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
126
SKU:
00-PC-0002104_C2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith ranks among America's most frequently performed composers for concert band and orchestra, with over 400 published works distributed primarily through Alfred Music. His output spans original compositions, arrangements, and large-scale works like his symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, which have circulated across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He holds degrees from Troy State University (AL) and the University of Miami (FL).
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has appeared in high-profile broadcasts and ceremonies, from network television productions to the opening of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Olympic Games, and Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. As a conductor and clinician, he has worked internationally across the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Italy, Austria, and the United Kingdom. His arrangements for developing ensembles, including The Tempest and works in the Belwin Young Band series, have become foundational repertoire for school programs.
Why we love this
Smith's scoring respects the dignity of this anthem while stripping away technical barriers that would sideline younger players. The opening timpani roll signals serious intent from the first measure, yet every section sits comfortably under the fingers and voices of a Grade 2 band. You get patriotic weight without the rehearsal overhead, making it genuinely useful for a summer pops concert or a last-minute addition to your lineup.
What to expect
Dignity without fanfare. The solo timpani roll that opens the piece establishes gravitas; from there, the melody unfolds with clear, singing phrasing that feels spacious and respectful rather than bombastic. The orchestration lets young voices breathe and the modest harmonic movement supports rather than complicates the performers' musical choices.
Who it's for
This arrangement opens America the Beautiful to bands still building fundamentals and those with significant turnover or absences. It also serves conductors managing tight rehearsal schedules or seeking accessible patriotic music for summer concerts, community events, or last-minute festival programming.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the timpani roll breathe at the opening. That solitary moment sets the tone for everything that follows; resist the urge to rush into the melody.
- Balance the melody across your front line without letting soloists dominate. This arrangement works best when the tune feels shared rather than spotlighted.
- Support steady quarter-note motion in the accompaniment to anchor the harmonic progression. Young players often rush accompaniment figures; a clear pulse from low brass keeps everything grounded.
- Shape the phrase endings with a gentle taper rather than a hard stop. Patriotic music breathes naturally when you honor its lyrical contours.
How to use it
Program this during the patriotic segment of a summer concert or Fourth of July celebration when you need something that sounds substantial but won't strain a young ensemble. Pair it with other easy-play titles in the Belwin Young Band series for a full program that respects both audience expectations and your students' developing abilities. It also works effectively as a concert opener, using the iconic melody to settle an audience into the evening.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained melodic phrasing over simple harmonic accompaniment
- Balancing melody and harmony at Grade 2 technical levels
- Responding to ensemble entrances cued by a timpani roll
- Performance confidence with recognized, accessible repertoire
- Understanding patriotic and ceremonial musical conventions