Still, Still, Still: 5 Clarinets Score & Parts

Serene and meditative, with an open warmth that comes from the carol's Austrian roots. The arrangement glows rather than shines, letting the five clarinets create a unified vocal quality that feels almost choral in its reverence and simplicity.

Clarinet quintet ensembles at the intermediate level, whether in school band programs, adult community bands, or studio settings. This works especially well for groups looking to perform holiday music that honors the carol tradition while offering something fresh from the standard choral arrangements.

• Shape the melodic phrases across all voices with consistent breath support and legit articulation; resist the urge to make any single clarinet dominate the texture.
• Work the intonation of sustained notes carefully since all five players may be holding harmony tones simultaneously, especially in the middle register where clarinets are prone to drift sharp.
• Balance the ensemble by listening for the primary melodic line and letting supporting voices sit back; this piece works best when voices blend rather than compete.
• Take time with the slower harmonic rhythm to allow the carol's peaceful quality to emerge; rushing the tempo will undermine the simplicity that makes this arrangement effective.

Feature this as part of a winter concert's holiday segment, particularly if you're building a program around chamber ensembles. It pairs well with both instrumental and choral Christmas music, bridging the gap between traditional carol arrangements and contemporary wind writing.

• Balancing melodic and harmonic roles within a five-part texture
• Sustaining warm, legit tone across the clarinet's middle register
• Ensemble intonation in complex chord structures
• Shaping longer phrases with consistent breath pacing
• Listening for and supporting the primary melodic line