Immer Kleiner for Solo Clarinet and Band: Concert Band Conductor Score

Playful and irreverent, with a charming absurdist edge that never turns cynical. The band provides energetic, spirited accompaniment while the soloist's gradual transformation from full instrument to mouthpiece creates a delightful tension between the ambitious and the ridiculous, building toward a surprisingly rousing finale.

Concert bands at the middle school level or above who have a confident clarinet soloist willing to embrace both technical and theatrical demands. The piece works equally well for bands looking to add a memorable encore or centerpiece that combines genuine musicality with audience engagement.

• Plan the physical staging carefully with your soloist before rehearsals begin. Establish exactly when and how pieces come off, and practice this choreography separately from the musical rehearsals to avoid distraction during sectional work.
• Balance the band accompaniment so it remains supportive rather than overwhelming as the clarinet gradually loses range and projection. The soloist needs space to be heard, even with only the mouthpiece.
• Have your clarinet soloist mark out the theme statements clearly in early rehearsals. Once the physical comedy takes hold in performance, the melody line becomes the anchor that keeps the audience engaged.

Program this as a concert centerpiece or finale where the audience expects to be delighted. It works beautifully as a palate cleanser after serious repertoire, or as the sendoff that lets students and audience leave smiling. The novelty aspect makes it memorable without cheapening your concert.

• Managing performance anxiety through comedic engagement
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion while featuring a solo role
• Adapting tone production and articulation across different registers
• Balancing showmanship with musical integrity