Clarinet Concerto No. 1: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Sebesky wrote this piece specifically to let beginning clarinetists perform as an ensemble rather than as soloists, which removes the pressure of standing alone while building genuine ensemble confidence. The Grade 1 writing stays below the break and keeps every clarinet in a comfortable range, so your section sounds polished without excessive technical demands. Programming an entire section as featured performers creates moments of real pride for young players and their families alike.

Charming and warm, with a character that rewards careful listening and ensemble blend. The piece has the feeling of a gentle showcase, allowing young clarinetists to play something genuinely musical while their peers and families recognize them as a unified voice.

This is ideal for beginning band programs with a clarinet section ready to step into the spotlight as a group. It works equally well for concert band directors seeking a morale-boosting feature that celebrates woodwind players early in their musical journey.

• Balance the clarinet voices so the melody emerges clearly without drowning out the inner voices; this teaches young players to listen beyond their own part.
• Keep the tempo steady and unhurried through any passages that feel slow; beginning ensembles often rush when they relax.
• Shape each phrase with a gentle swell rather than holding dynamics flat; even at Grade 1, this detail lifts the musicality considerably.

Feature this on a winter or spring concert to celebrate your beginning band's progress and give the clarinet section a moment of recognition. It also serves as an excellent morale builder midway through the school year, when young players benefit from concrete evidence of how far they've come.

• Blending within a section
• Listening to ensemble balance
• Playing below the clarinet break with consistent tone
• Sustaining phrases with gentle dynamic shaping
• Maintaining steady tempo as part of a featured group