Hey Mon (Calypso): B-flat Bass Clarinet
By Jack Bullock
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0000884_BC
$3.00
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Description
In his light-hearted original calypso-style work, Jack Bullock has musically captured the essence of island life. With a legato lilt, the engaging rhythms drive the work. A charming addition to enhance your young band's understanding of this important cultural style of musical literature. It's a relaxing addition to any program that will fill imaginations with the vision of lazy days on sunny, sand-covered beaches. "Hey Mon" is the exclamation heard often in that area of the world from the inhabitants there offering their warm hello will have them dancing in the aisles.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hey Mon (Calypso): 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:
130
SKU:
00-PC-0000884_BC
More about this title
About the Composer: Jack Bullock
Jack Bullock earned degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels in Music Education, studying trumpet performance with Harry Glantz, James Ode, and Craig McHenry. His performance career included work with the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra, Miami Opera Company, and touring dance bands across the United States and territory bands throughout the Northeast.
As a composer and arranger, Bullock has created more than 600 works for concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and marching band. He taught instrumental music for 20 years in school settings and served as assistant band director at the School of Music at Ithaca College, where he also chaired the Music Education Department for four years. He is a co-author of the Belwin 21st Century Band Method and has conducted clinics and workshops internationally.
Why we love this
Bullock understands what Grade 2 bands actually need: accessible rhythmic grooves that feel authentic, not watered down. The calypso style opens a genuine cultural window without requiring specialized technique, making it an ideal vehicle for young players to experience non-traditional American music with confidence and joy.
What to expect
Warm breezes, steel drums, and the unhurried rhythm of island life translate directly into sound. The legato lilt and driving calypso grooves create an immediate sense of place, transporting listeners to a world of sunny beaches and genuine hospitality without a hint of pretense.
Who it's for
Young concert bands in Grades 2-4 who are ready to explore music beyond the standard American repertoire. Directors seeking an accessible entry point into calypso and Caribbean musical traditions will find this piece rewarding for both students and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the legato lilt throughout; these melodies should float rather than march. Resist the urge to crisp up articulations, which undermines the relaxed island feel.
- Lock the rhythm section into the calypso pulse early in rehearsals. Once your percussion and lower winds establish that groove, the ensemble will anchor around it naturally.
- Balance the melody across your band rather than concentrating it in one voice. The engaging rhythms work best when distributed, giving multiple sections ownership of the piece.
- Let younger players feel the fun in this one. Their commitment to the style and energy will carry the performance more than technical perfection.
How to use it
This works perfectly as a spring or end-of-year concert piece when audiences need a mental escape. Pair it with one or two other works of similar character to create a "travel themed" section, or use it as a contrast to more serious repertoire, letting the audience see the full range of your young musicians.
Skills your students will build
- Calypso rhythmic patterns and syncopation typical of Caribbean music
- Legato phrasing and sustained musical line through longer phrases
- Ensemble balance when melody distributes across multiple voices
- Understanding of cultural music styles and their historical contexts
- Listening and responding to groove-based accompaniment patterns