Christmastime in Russia: 1st B-flat Clarinet
Traditional Russian Carols / arr. Elena Roussanova Lucas
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0001200_C1
$3.00
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Description
Three delightful Russian holiday tunes combine in Christmastime In Russia. The tunes featured are The Little Forest Tree, The Manger, and The Snowfall Blowing Along the Street. Elena Roussanova Lucas has solidly scored this for the young band and has included notes detailing her recollections of these melodies as a child. Experience Christmas from another land -- stunning! 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, Christmastime in Russia: 1st 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:
123
SKU:
00-PC-0001200_C1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Elena Roussanova Lucas
Elena Roussanova Lucas grew up in Moscow, where she began piano studies at age three and eventually earned admission to the prestigious child prodigy program at Central Music School. She went on to study composition at the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire of Moscow under Tihon Khrennikov and Tatiana Choodova, completing her degree with the Red Diploma (Summa Cum Laude) in Composition, Music History, Music Theory, and Instrumentation.
Beyond her conservatory training, Lucas studied piano pedagogy and accompaniment at the Ippolitov-Ivanov Music College in Moscow. Her compositions have been performed by major Russian ensembles including the Tchaikovsky State Orchestra of Moscow and the Radio and TV Orchestra of Moscow, as well as by international artists and chamber groups. She is a member of the United Russian Composers Union and has taught composition at the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire. Lucas has performed as a pianist throughout Moscow, Western Europe, and the United States, and currently teaches at Boston University.
Why we love this
Roussanova Lucas brings authentic cultural weight to these three Russian melodies without over-complicating the score for young players. Her program notes offer genuine personal context for each tune, giving your students a window into how these pieces lived in Russian childhood rather than treating them as generic holiday material. At Grade 3, the orchestration balances accessibility with genuine musical substance, making this a standout choice for ensembles seeking repertoire with real roots.
What to expect
Wintry, reflective, and touched by nostalgia, these three melodies evoke the snow-covered streets and quiet warmth of Russian holiday traditions. The arrangement opens a window onto childhood memories from another place and time, creating a genuinely moving concert experience rather than a purely festive one.
Who it's for
Concert bands working at the Grade 3 level who want to program music with cultural depth and a fresh alternative to standard Christmas fare. Directors seeking pieces that introduce students to Russian musical traditions while remaining playable for developing ensembles will find this particularly valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Pay close attention to the dynamic contrasts Roussanova Lucas has written. Young bands often play everything at a similar volume, but this score uses dynamics to shape the melody and create color between the Russian tunes.
- Read through her program notes before rehearsals begin and share the composer's reflections with your band. Connecting the melodies to her childhood memories helps students grasp the cultural significance of what they're playing.
- Balance the woodwind and brass sections carefully in the melodic passages. The arrangement distributes themes across multiple instruments, so clarity in the parts keeps the Russian character intact.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece in a winter or holiday concert, pairing it with one contrasting piece that leans more directly into celebration. The substantial length (123 pages of score and parts) makes it ideal for a concert devoted to multicultural holiday traditions or as the anchor of a program exploring Russian music.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and accompaniment across woodwind and brass sections
- Shaping phrasing through dynamic control and contrast
- Reading and performing music rooted in non-Western European traditions
- Ensemble cohesion in Grade 3 concert band literature