Sound Innovations for Concert Band: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band: E-flat Alto Clarinet Book

This resource combines technical development with genuine musicianship in a way that respects intermediate students' growing sophistication. The 412 exercises give you real flexibility: use chorales by Sheldon, Boysen, and Story when you need beauty and artistry; turn to the graded technical work when sections need targeted help with specific keys or articulations. Boonshaft and Bernotas have built a book that doesn't feel like grinding through exercises because the repertoire comes from actual concert band composers, not generic drill writers.

Moving through these exercises feels purposeful rather than repetitive. The chorales, written by respected concert band composers, offer moments of genuine musical expression that reward careful listening and blending. Technical passages build confidence without sacrificing musicality.

Alto clarinet players in intermediate concert bands who need systematic work on technical facility, ensemble sound, and musicianship. This book works equally well as a primary resource after a standard band method or as a targeted supplement alongside concert repertoire.

• Pay attention to the marked articulations and dynamics in the chorales; these aren't ornaments but essential components of style and tone quality. Spend rehearsal time on sections where phrasing or articulation patterns differ from your band's default approach.
• When working through key-based exercises, use them to diagnose specific intonation struggles in your section. Return to the same exercise periodically to track progress rather than moving through them once and moving on.
• Approach the chorales as full musical statements, not supplementary material. Alto clarinet voices often carry important harmonic weight in these arrangements, so tune carefully with upper woodwinds and listen to your role in the overall sonority.

Open most rehearsals with a chorale for warm-up and tone work, rotating through different styles and keys to broaden your section's adaptability. Reserve targeted exercise sequences for sectional rehearsals when you identify specific intonation, articulation, or rhythmic needs. The key-based organization makes it easy to preview exercises in advance of concert music you're learning in the same key.

• Technical facility across the full chromatic range at intermediate difficulty levels
• Intonation and blend within the clarinet section and with the full ensemble
• Articulation control including tonguing patterns and style markers
• Reading and performing dynamics, tempo markings, and stylistic direction
• Harmonic awareness and part independence in multi-voice chorale textures
• Transposition and key signature literacy in varied concert band keys