Clarinet Jive: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Story writes clarinet features that actually sound like jazz without requiring your band to swing like professionals. The piece gives your reed section a genuine moment to shine while keeping the rest of the ensemble engaged, making it a natural fit for a concert that needs both accessibility and personality.

A conversational, playful groove that sits somewhere between a concert hall and a relaxed jam session. The clarinet writing feels idiomatic to jazz but sounds warm and accessible, giving the piece a personality that audiences recognize without any pretension.

Directors of beginning bands and younger ensembles who want to introduce jazz language and style without requiring advanced technique or swing expertise. This works especially well when you need a clarinet feature that showcases your reed section's musicality rather than virtuosity.

• Keep the swing feel relaxed and conversational; clarinet soloists often tighten up when they feel rushed, so establish a tempo that lets them breathe naturally through the phrasing.
• Work your clarinet section on blend and intonation as a unit before integrating them into the full ensemble context; this feature demands a cohesive reed sound that reads as one voice.
• Let the rhythm section (if included) lock in their groove early; a solid pocket underneath will give your clarinetists the confidence to explore the jazz style authentically.

This fits naturally in a concert that celebrates different musical styles, giving your band variety while staying within a Grade 1 difficulty range. Use it as a mid-program energy shift, or program it after a traditional march to show your ensemble's range.

• Swing eighth-note articulation and phrasing
• Jazz-inflected tone production in the clarinet section
• Ensemble blend and intonation within a featured section
• Listening and responding to solo improvisation or ornamentation