Donkey Riding: 5 Clarinets Score & Parts

David Marlatt's arrangement takes a beloved folk melody and gives it real musical substance without demanding virtuosic technique. The distributed melody work means all five players stay engaged throughout, and the rhythmic momentum builds naturally to a finish that satisfies both the ensemble and the audience.

Energetic and folk-forward, with a familiar melody that audiences recognize and appreciate. The rhythmic texture keeps the music moving and bright, creating a showpiece quality that feels both clever and genuinely musical rather than novelty-based.

Clarinet quintets ready to program a piece that's musically substantial yet accessible at the medium level. This works equally well for concert or contest settings where you want a piece that showcases musical writing without requiring advanced technical demands.

• Balance the melody carefully as it passes between players. The top clarinet doesn't carry the tune alone, so mark phrase entries clearly in rehearsal to establish who leads at each moment.
• Lock in the rhythmic variety early. Work through the different rhythmic patterns section by section before combining them, so the texture stays crisp rather than muddy.
• Shape phrases across the part changes. Even when the melody moves to a lower voice, maintain the phrase contour and momentum so the line sings through the transition.
• Keep the ensemble bright and forward without sacrificing ensemble balance. The folk character needs energy and clarity to land with your audience.

Place this in the middle of a concert where you want to shift energy and character, or use it as a contest selection that combines accessibility with musical merit. The folk appeal and concert arrangement make it work on both educational and public concert programs.

• Balancing distributed melody lines across five voices
• Playing with rhythmic variety and independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Phrase shaping across part transfers
• Ensemble blend and balance in a mixed-register texture