Cole Porter Classics: 1st B-flat Clarinet

Douglas E. Wagner's orchestration preserves Porter's melodic charm while giving your ensemble real textures to sink their teeth into. The three-song medley lets you perform recognizable standards without the commitment of a full musical production, and the flexibility to use strings alone or full orchestra means you can program this regardless of your instrumentation.

Elegant, rhythmically alive, and irresistibly charming. The medley captures the sophistication and energy of 1930s and 1940s Broadway while remaining transparent enough for student musicians to navigate. You'll hear Porter's sophisticated harmonic language alongside melodies that stick with you long after the final chord.

This is ideal for intermediate-level orchestras looking to add American popular standards to their repertoire. It works equally well for conductors building a mixed concert featuring orchestral and vocal selections, or for ensembles seeking accessible, crowd-pleasing material that doesn't sacrifice musical substance.

• Bring out the Broadway style in your phrasing. Porter's songs thrive on clear, shaped lines with gentle rubato that respects the underlying dance rhythms. Avoid making these pieces too stiff or formal.
• Balance the melody with the ensemble throughout the medley. These songs are built on singable tunes, so ensure your soloists and featured sections breathe naturally while the accompaniment supports without overwhelming.
• Use the 2:54 runtime as a guide for pacing between movements. Keep the energy moving forward while allowing each song its own character; "Begin the Beguine" has a different rhythmic feel than "Anything Goes."

Program this alongside other Great American Songbook material to create a themed concert, or use it as a palate cleanser between heavier classical works. The medley format and moderate length make it an excellent choice for pops concerts, school showcases, or community orchestra performances where accessibility and entertainment value matter.

• Balancing melody-driven arrangements with ensemble texture
• Executing Broadway style and rubato within a metrical framework
• Reading orchestral color changes and cue systems across multiple instruments
• Maintaining rhythmic clarity in syncopated accompaniment figures
• Shaping standard-song form with musical intent rather than mechanical phrasing