Competition Solos, Book 2 Clarinet: Clarinet Book

The collection ranges from elegant character pieces (Viennese Sonatina, Barcarolle) to spirited, lighter fare (Sparkles, The King's Jester), offering variety in mood and style. You'll find yourself playing music that feels genuinely composed for clarinet, not adapted or simplified.

Intermediate clarinet students preparing for solo competitions or recitals. This book serves clarinetists at the 2.5 grade level who have solid fundamentals and are ready for pieces with real musical personality and modest technical demands.

• Download the audio files using the codes included in your book so you can hear how each piece should flow; this reference keeps your interpretation aligned with the accompaniment.
• Work through the piano part on keyboard or find a pianist early, since the accompaniment shapes the tempo and character of each solo.
• Check your state's current competition list before finalizing your choice; while these selections appear on at least one state list, eligibility rules can shift year to year.
• Plan three weeks minimum per piece if you're preparing for competition; these solos reward careful attention to phrasing and intonation.

Use this book as your first stop when a student declares interest in competing at the state level. Each piece works equally well as a recital solo, giving you repertoire options whether your goal is festival participation or concert performance.

• Stylistic interpretation across contrasting musical character (lyrical, dance-like, spirited)
• Sustained melodic phrasing with clarinet-appropriate breath placement
• Intonation control in the middle and upper registers
• Ensemble listening and balancing with piano accompaniment
• Preparing music to competition standards and state organization requirements