Bella Beach: E-flat Alto Clarinet
Alto Saxophone Solo Feature
By Steve Hodges
Grade: 2.5 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0001261_AC1
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Feature your alto saxophone soloist on this expressive ballad portraying the beautiful west coast sunset. With a memorable melody supported by lush, chromatic harmonies there are plenty of opportunities to develop tone quality and blend, especially with the effective interplay between the soloist and the band. This will be a great change of pace and a perfect selection for any concert or festival! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Bella Beach: E-flat Alto Clarinet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
66
SKU:
00-PC-0001261_AC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Steve Hodges
Steve Hodges holds degrees from Western Oregon University (Bachelor of Science) and Central Washington University (Master of Music Education). After four decades directing bands, choirs, and small ensembles across public schools, he transitioned to full-time composition, producing over 120 concert band works published by Alfred Music since 1986.
His compositions have appeared at festivals and state conventions worldwide, with commissions from honor bands and schools spanning Virginia, Iowa, Winnipeg, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina. His music has also been featured by TBS and ESPN. An ASCAP member and award-winning composer, Hodges now lives in The Dalles, Oregon, where he remains active in community music and watches his grandchildren perform his pieces in their school bands.
Why we love this
Hodges crafts a genuine feature showcase here: the alto saxophone receives a singing, lyrical line that sits comfortably for developing soloists, while the band provides sophisticated harmonic support that teaches blend without overwhelming complexity. The piece balances emotional expressiveness with accessibility, making it rewarding for both young players discovering what it means to play with musical intention and conductors looking for concert repertoire that sounds mature without requiring Grade 4 technique.
What to expect
Golden light stretching across calm water: the solo saxophone unfolds with unhurried elegance against warm, shifting harmonies that shimmer without clashing. The mood is introspective and serene, with moments where the band and soloist breathe together in quiet conversation.
Who it's for
This piece is ideal for concert bands at the middle school level and for mature elementary honor bands seeking a lyrical feature. It works beautifully for directors who want to showcase a strong alto saxophone soloist while developing the full band's listening and blending skills in a musical, non-technical context.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the alto saxophone melody with long phrases rather than breaking it into small gestures; the chromatic harmonies beneath will support a sustained, singing quality naturally.
- Balance the soloist against the band by keeping the harmonic voices transparent and warm rather than dense; this interplay is what gives the piece its intimacy.
- Let the sunset imagery guide your interpretation; a gentle, unhurried tempo and soft dynamic palette will reveal the chromatic colors more effectively than pushing the sound.
- Work on tone matching between the saxophone and any band voices that double or echo the solo line, as these moments are where blend becomes musically visible.
How to use it
Place this as a centerpiece ballad on a concert featuring younger soloists, or program it mid-show as a reflective interlude between more energetic selections. It also serves well at festival competitions where judges value musical maturity and sensitive ensemble listening over technical display.
Skills your students will build
- Long-phrase singing and breath control on wind instruments
- Listening and blending chromatic harmonies
- Supporting a featured soloist while maintaining band ensemble integrity
- Dynamic control and tone shaping in soft, expressive contexts
- Accompaniment texture and interplay between solo and ensemble