Christmas at the Symphony: 2nd B-flat Clarinet
Arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017593_C2
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Celebrate the holidays with the masters. Representing Mozart's "Sleigh Ride" (German Dance No. 3), Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" from The Nutcracker, and Bizet's "March of the Kings" (a 13th century traditional French carol included in his L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 and 2. Three-four and four-four meters are explored with a variety of textures and voicing shifts in this medley of joyous familiar holiday themes. Simply glorious! (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Christmas at the Symphony: 2nd B-flat 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
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
248
SKU:
00-PC-0017593_C2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Story
Michael Story is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans concert band, wind ensemble, and orchestra. He has become one of the most performed composers in American schools, known for writing music that respects young musicians' abilities while delivering genuine artistic substance. His arrangements balance accessibility with musical integrity, making canonical works available to ensembles at all levels.
Story's output is remarkable in both volume and consistency. He understands the pedagogical context of school music programs and writes accordingly, creating pieces that serve educational goals without sacrificing musicality. His arrangements are staples in concert band libraries across the country.
Why we love this
Story strips away the complexity without diminishing the grandeur of these masterworks. Young band musicians get to experience the thrill of playing Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Bizet at a level they can truly own, which means better intonation, cleaner articulation, and genuine confidence. The medley structure keeps rehearsals fresh while building ensemble cohesion across contrasting musical moods.
What to expect
This arrangement captures the pageantry and warmth of holiday tradition without losing the sophistication of its sources. Moving from the jingling momentum of a winter sleigh ride to the hushed magic of the Sugar Plum Fairy creates an emotional arc that feels both festive and genuinely musical. The final processional brings ceremonial weight, leaving audiences with the satisfaction of having heard something substantial.
Who it's for
Concert bands in middle school and early high school will find this a perfect vehicle for holiday programming. The Grade 2 difficulty ensures that younger or developing ensembles can execute these beloved works with clean musicianship and genuine expressive shape.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody between sections carefully in the Mozart section; the familiar "Sleigh Ride" theme should sing clearly while supporting parts maintain texture without overwhelming the line.
- Shape each movement distinctly. The transition from the sleigh ride's rhythmic energy to the delicate Sugarplum Fairy section requires a genuine shift in ensemble articulation and dynamic control, not just a tempo change.
- Lock the ensemble's pulse during the meter shifts between 3/4 and 4/4. These transitions happen in familiar material, which can breed carelessness; mark beat patterns in parts to keep students conscious of the change.
- Bring out the march character in the final section. "March of the Kings" benefits from a stately, processional feel; articulation should be crisp and the bass line needs to anchor the rhythmic momentum.
How to use it
Program this as your holiday concert centerpiece, letting it anchor the second half of the program after lighter opening selections. The four-minute running time and familiar material make it an excellent choice for a community holiday concert where you want maximum accessibility alongside genuine musical substance. It also works beautifully on a concert that pairs classical masterworks with original compositions, since the Story arrangement serves as a bridge between the two.
Skills your students will build
- Switching between 3/4 and 4/4 meters within a single piece
- Maintaining clarity and balance across changing instrumental textures
- Shaping lyrical lines (particularly the Sugarplum Fairy section) with sustained focus
- Executing clean articulation shifts from rhythmic sections to legato passages
- Reading and performing canonical concert repertoire at an accessible level