But Not for Me: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Warren Barker's arrangement honors Gershwin's songwriting while opening the piece to your ensemble's strengths. Whether you need a featured vocalist or want to showcase a strong clarinet voice, the flexibility here lets you program repertoire that matches your personnel and creates a genuine moment of intimacy within a concert band context.

Wistful and introspective, with the gentle resignation of a jazz standard translated into band colors. Barker's harmonies wrap the familiar melody in warm, contemporary sonorities that feel both accessible and refined.

Concert bands seeking a feature moment that bridges popular song and classical instrumentation. Directors working with capable soloists (vocalists or clarinetists) will find this piece offers elegant programming options without requiring full operatic technique or virtuosic display.

• Balance the solo voice or clarinet line carefully against the band; the accompaniment should support, not compete. This transparency allows the lyrical beauty of Gershwin's melody to resonate fully.
• If using a vocalist, work closely on diction and phrasing before full ensemble rehearsals begin. The band will follow the singer's interpretation more naturally once everyone hears a committed, shaped performance.
• Shape the harmonic progressions with subtle dynamic shading in the accompanying parts. Barker's treatment asks for refinement and restraint rather than full volume, so encourage players to listen inward and adjust based on what the solo line needs.

Position this as a second-half feature that shifts the emotional landscape of your concert. The contrast works particularly well after energetic openers or marches, and the moderate grade level makes it accessible for mid-to-advanced ensembles without overshadowing other selections.

• Accompanying a solo line with blend and dynamic control
• Balancing harmonic color and transparency in contemporary arrangements
• Responding to a vocalist's or soloist's phrasing and interpretation
• Performing in a more intimate, chamber-like context within a large ensemble