Ashokan Farewell (from The Civil War): 3rd B-flat Clarinet

This arrangement gives concert bands a legitimate, emotionally substantive piece that speaks to audiences without sacrificing musical integrity. Calvin Custer's orchestration sits perfectly in the concert band sound world, and the Grade 3 difficulty means your ensemble can focus on expressive playing rather than technical survival.

Reflective and tender, with the kind of melodic beauty that reaches listeners immediately. The arrangement carries dignity and restraint, evoking quiet grief and resilience without theatrical excess.

Concert bands at the Grade 3 level seeking repertoire with genuine emotional weight and broad audience appeal. Directors programming a mix of classics and contemporary pieces will find this a natural fit for concert, memorial, or patriotic programs.

• Shape the melody with long, connected phrasing rather than stopping at phrase marks. The power of this piece lives in its sustained lyricism.
• Balance the harmonic accompaniment below the melody line. In a concert band setting, it's easy for brass and woodwind parts to overpower the central tune.
• Allow space for the arrangement to breathe. Resist the urge to push tempo; Ungar's melody rewards patience and restraint.
• Listen for moments where the melody passes between sections. Ensure smooth handoffs so the tune never feels fragmented or lost.

Program this as a centerpiece or closing piece for concerts honoring American history, veterans, or themes of remembrance. It also works beautifully in mixed programs where you want a moment of genuine reflection between more energetic selections.

• Sustained legato phrasing across longer melodic lines
• Balance between melody and accompaniment in ensemble textures
• Expressive control and dynamic shaping on a Grade 3 technical foundation
• Awareness of stylistic restraint and understatement as compositional choices