Clarinet Hoedown: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Moss structures this piece so that every section gets a moment to shine, but the clarinet writing is genuinely fun and expressive enough that your players will feel the feature is earned. The Copland influence brings a recognizable Americana flavor that audiences connect with immediately, while the orchestration ensures no one sits idle for two-and-a-half minutes.

Energetic and inviting, with the spirited quality of a barn dance filtered through classical composition technique. The piece bounces along with infectious good humor while maintaining musical sophistication in its harmonic movement and orchestral balance.

Grade 2 bands with confident clarinet sections and competent rhythm sections will find this an ideal concert feature. It works equally well for directors building players' solo confidence and for ensembles seeking repertoire that feels both contemporary and rooted in American musical tradition.

• Balance the lively themes between clarinet section and supporting voices by adjusting your dynamic architecture in sectional rehearsal; the clever harmonies will disappear if everyone pushes equally.
• Give your percussion section dedicated rehearsal time before full band runs. The writing is effective precisely because it's rhythmically precise, not loose.
• Encourage clarinets to shape their phrases with the same folk-music articulation style that defines Copland's orchestral works; avoid pure legato and pure staccato in favor of that middle ground.
• Lock tempo early and maintain it consistently. At 2:55, the piece moves briskly, and any wavering will undermine the hoedown energy.

Program this in the second half of a concert where your band has warmed into the material but still has energy to spare. It pairs well with more serious Grade 2 works since audiences recognize and enjoy the Copland aesthetic, making it an excellent bridge between classical and contemporary pieces.

• Balancing solo lines with accompaniment texture
• Phrasing in folk-influenced melodic writing
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated accompaniment figures
• Sectional independence and listening within an ensemble
• Stylistic interpretation of Americana concert music