Cousins (Cornet and Trombone Duet and Concert Band): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Clarke composed this duet with two specific soloists in mind, and that specificity shows in every phrase. The band writing creates genuine partnership with the soloists rather than mere accompaniment, making this a rewarding experience for your section players and a genuine feature piece that audiences recognize as substantial concert literature. The new full conductor score (rather than a piano reduction) gives you clear sight lines to both balance and the inner workings of the arrangement.

Cousins pulses with Victorian-era vigor and technical display. The soloists trade ideas in a conversational, almost playful manner, their lines ornamented and spirited, while the band provides warmth and rhythmic drive. It's music designed to showcase individual brilliance without sacrificing ensemble cohesion.

This work suits mature concert bands at the Grade 4 level with capable soloists on both cornet and trombone. The piece rewards orchestras with balanced sections and attentive ensemble listening, making it ideal for groups ready to feature soloists within a full band context.

• Establish the solo line balance early in rehearsal. The cornet and trombone parts sit at different registers, so work with your soloists on projection without forcing; the band should support rather than overshadow them.
• Lock the rhythmic foundation in the lower brass and winds before bringing in tutti passages. Clarke's harmonic movement depends on steady pulse, especially in the accompaniment figures.
• Address the updated F horn parts carefully if your players are accustomed to E-flat notation. Make sure transposition is secure before full section rehearsals.
• Shape the band's dynamic contours to frame the soloists' phrases. Listen for moments where the accompaniment should breathe or recede to highlight a solo turn.

Feature this as a strong mid-program work alongside other Clarke masterworks or pair it with contrasting contemporary band pieces to frame its historical importance. The dual solo opportunity makes it particularly effective for a concert highlighting section leaders or celebrating your band's technical depth.

• Balancing soloists against ensemble accompaniment
• Executing consistent articulation in fast passagework
• Maintaining subdivided rhythmic accuracy in supporting figures
• Reading and executing dynamic markings that shape musical phrasing
• Transposing between F and E-flat horn notation
• Listening across the ensemble to support featured lines