Clowning Around: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$45.00 USD

Clowning Around: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Clowning Around: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-39621
Price: 45.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By John O'Reilly

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-39621

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$45.00

Shipped

One moment…

When the circus comes to town, one of the main attractions for children of all ages is the clowns. Their humorous antics always get the show rolling and they frequently move through the audience with their happy and sometimes sad faces. This work is a delightful composition that reflects on both personalities of the circus clowns. (2:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Clowning Around: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Debut Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 122

UPC: 038081454894

SKU: 00-39621

More about this title

About the Composer: John O'Reilly

John O'Reilly is a composer and educator with a strong track record in writing accessible concert band music. His work across the Alfred Debut Series demonstrates a gift for crafting pieces that engage young musicians while respecting the realities of beginning and intermediate ensembles.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

O'Reilly captures the full emotional range of circus clowns in a single, energetic work that keeps an early-level band engaged from start to finish. The piece balances accessible writing with genuine character development, so your students play something memorable rather than merely competent. At 2:30, it's the ideal length for a concert opener that sets a playful, confident tone without demanding advanced technical facility.

What to expect

Playful energy mixed with unexpected tenderness. The music bounces along with the antics of happy clowns, then shifts into a quieter, more poignant mood as their sadder side emerges. It's the kind of piece that makes audiences smile and reminds students why they love playing together.

Who it's for

Beginning and early-intermediate concert bands (high school, middle school, or advanced middle school) looking for repertoire that entertains without sacrificing musicality. Directors seeking a grade 1.5 piece with genuine personality and storytelling appeal will find this accessible and rewarding to rehearse.

How to get the most out of it

Establish a confident tempo from the downbeat; the comedic timing depends on rhythmic clarity and forward motion, particularly in the opening sections where the melody introduces the first clown character.
Balance the tutti sections so lighter, higher voices remain audible. The humor often lives in the detail rather than in volume, especially when contrasting happy and sad moods.
Allow expressive space in transitions between the upbeat and introspective moments. Quick, deliberate shifts in character will underscore the emotional range that makes the clown narrative work.

How to use it

Use this as a concert opener to establish an upbeat, audience-friendly atmosphere, or pair it with more serious concert band literature to provide contrast and thematic variety. Its short length and programmatic clarity make it particularly effective for elementary or family concerts where you want to engage young listeners and showcase your band's expressive range.