Lillian: Concert Band Score & Parts

Name: Lillian: Concert Band Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-CB226530
Price: 75.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Polka Caprice

By Herbert L. Clarke / arr. David Marlatt

Item: 81-CB226530

$75.00

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This fun light piece is a great showpiece for the cornet. It was possibly named after his second wife Lillian Bell Hause with whom Clarke had two children. There is another work by Clarke, "La Veta Caprice", which contains much of the same material as this piece. Set as a polka, there is much opportunity for the soloist to display quick fingers and light triple tonguing.

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Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: 8TH NOTE PUBLICATION

ISBN10: 1-77893-239-8

ISBN13: 978-1-77893-239-7

UPC: 685462032402

SKU: 81-CB226530

Instrumentation: Solo Cornet and Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: Herbert L. Clarke

Herbert L. Clarke (1867, 1945) was one of the most celebrated cornet soloists of the early 20th century, commanding the instrument with a virtuosity that set the standard for brass performance. As both performer and composer, Clarke wrote extensively for the cornet, crafting works that demanded technical brilliance while remaining musically engaging, a combination that made him equally influential as a teacher and bandmaster.

Clarke's output reflects his intimate knowledge of what the cornet could accomplish. His compositions showcase the instrument's full range of expressive possibilities, from lyrical passages to rapid figurations that test a soloist's fingers and breath control. Works like Lillian became staples of concert band and brass band repertoire, and they remain essential vehicles for developing cornet technique.

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Why we love this

This piece gives your soloist a genuine star turn within the context of a full concert band arrangement. The polka form and playful character make it immediately engaging for audiences, while the technical demands (quick figuration and triple tonguing) provide real work for a developing cornet player without straying into overwrought complexity.

What to expect

Bright and buoyant, Lillian captures the infectious spirit of the polka with a graceful melodic line that sits naturally on the cornet. The piece invites the soloist to smile through the technical passages and share the joy of the dance with the audience.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits cornet soloists in high school and competitive junior high bands who have solid command of basic articulation and are ready to work on rapid single and multiple tonguing. It also serves directors seeking a crowd-pleasing novelty piece that showcases their lead cornet without sacrificing musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

Maintain crisp articulation throughout the quick passages; the cornet's brightness cuts through the band texture when the soloist stays clean and precise rather than rushing the rhythmic subdivisions.
Shape the triple-tongued figures with a light touch and even airflow. These runs sit comfortably on the cornet and should feel effortless, not forced.
Balance the solo line so it projects without overwhelming the ensemble accompaniment. The polka rhythm in the band should support and frame the soloist's display passages rather than compete.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener or closer to send the audience home in good spirits, or feature it on a pops concert where traditional band repertoire meets showpiece virtuosity. It pairs well alongside other early twentieth-century cornet solos and gives your concert band a chance to highlight your strongest cornet player in a musically satisfying context.