Concerto for Faculty and Band: B-flat Bass Clarinet
By James D. Ployhar
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0001967_BC
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Description
This unusual arrangement is constructed to provide a humorous break in your program. The incorporation of several not-necessarily musical faculty members as percussion soloists offers both musical and visual wit for your audience. The use of prominent yet supportive teachers on your concert will foster your program for the whole school. This creative arrangement will be the hit of your next performance.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Concerto for Faculty and Band: B-flat Bass Clarinet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
96
SKU:
00-PC-0001967_BC
More about this title
About the Composer: James D. Ployhar
James D. Ployhar has established himself as a prolific voice in music education, with more than 800 published compositions spanning multiple genres and skill levels. His pedagogical influence extends far beyond the page: he authored the Contemporary Band Course, now published by Alfred Music and adopted in schools across Norway after translation into French and Norwegian. Ployhar studied composition at California State University, Long Beach under Morris Hutchings Ruger and holds degrees from Valley City State University and Northern Colorado University.
Beyond composition, Ployhar brings two decades of public school teaching experience combined with extensive clinical work at universities and international venues across North America, Europe, and Scandinavia. His orchestration studies with Knud Havalde of the Danish Royal Philharmonic informed his distinctive writing voice. The National Band Association has honored him with the Citation of Excellence, and he holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association, recognition of his lasting contributions to instrumental music education.
Why we love this
This piece transforms a concert into an event. By featuring faculty members as percussion soloists, you create genuine audience investment and laughter at the exact moment your program needs an energy shift. The musical writing remains sophisticated enough to hold ensemble interest while staying playable at Grade 2, so the humor lands without sacrificing musicianship.
What to expect
The piece strikes a balance between genuine musicality and playful wit. Your ensemble performs with full engagement while audience members watch their teachers navigate unexpected percussion solos, creating shared laughter without condescension toward the performers or the music itself.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level looking to program a high-engagement, musically legitimate work that doubles as audience entertainment. This arrangement works particularly well for schools seeking ways to build community support and visibility for their music program by featuring respected faculty members in a non-threatening, entertaining context.
How to get the most out of it
- Select faculty soloists based on their comfort level with humor and visibility in the school community, not their percussion experience. The comedic impact matters more than technical precision.
- Rehearse the faculty parts separately and ensure clear cueing from the conductor, as these players will rely on visual rather than musical communication during performance.
- Capitalize on the visual element by staging the faculty soloists prominently and allowing enough light and space for the audience to see their performance clearly.
- Balance the ensemble support parts so the soloists project without overwhelming the comedy of the moment.
How to use it
Position this near the midpoint of your concert, where energy often dips, or as a closer before a serious final selection to send the audience home smiling. The piece works especially well on family concerts or end-of-year performances where building school spirit and inclusive participation matter as much as pure musical content.
Skills your students will build
- Playing in Grade 2 ensemble with clear articulation and intonation
- Maintaining rhythmic precision while watching and responding to conducted cues
- Adapting to an unconventional solo/ensemble format that requires flexibility in musical listening
- Balancing accompaniment roles with awareness of featured performers