Cousins: Concert Band Conductor Score

This is a genuine ensemble showcase, not a reduction or a forced arrangement. Clarke's original intent—to feature two virtuoso soloists alongside a cohesive band texture—comes through completely for the first time with a full conductor score. The new edition respects the composer's voice while updating the work for contemporary bands, making it both historically grounded and practically useful.

Cousins captures the elegance and restraint of early 20th-century band writing, with moments of technical display that feel earned rather than gratuitous. The piece unfolds with charm, the interplay between the two solo voices creating a lyrical conversation set against solid, supporting band texture.

Band directors programming Grade 4 repertoire who want a substantive work featuring brass soloists without sacrificing ensemble musicianship. This score works well for ensembles with strong cornet and trombone sections, and it offers your soloists a real opportunity to shine while maintaining an integrated band sound.

• Balance the cornet and trombone duet carefully in early sections; the soloists need to carry the melodic dialogue without drowning out each other, and the band should sit well behind their sound.
• Attend to Clarke's articulation markings closely, especially where the parts diverge between soloists and ensemble; the cleaner editing in this edition gives you clear guidance on style.
• Shape phrases through the duet sections with a unified breath approach between soloist and trombone player; this duet was written for two featured artists, and it should breathe as one musical thought.

Position this as a concert feature that bridges your classical and romantic-era repertoire with early 20th-century American band music. It works particularly well in a program where you want to highlight your principal cornet and trombone without programming a full concerto, and it gives the ensemble a complete, satisfying feature piece under 20 minutes.

• Reading and executing articulation markings as a unified ensemble
• Supporting soloists while maintaining independent ensemble voice leading
• Balancing solo and accompaniment textures in a multi-part arrangement
• Performing Grade 4 literature with stylistic clarity and period awareness