Storm Warning!: 2nd B-flat Clarinet

Sheldon excels at writing that captures vivid imagery without sacrificing musicality or accessibility. Storm Warning works as both a contest piece and a concert feature because the Grade 2 scoring gives every section something engaging to play while the dramatic arc and orchestration choices create the impact you need for a memorable program moment.

You begin on a tranquil Great Lakes shoreline, with open textures and gentle motion evoking calm water and clear skies. Then the weather turns. The music builds intensity through driving rhythms and fuller orchestration, capturing the raw energy and power of a sudden storm rolling across the water. By the final moments, you experience the full force of nature rendered in sound.

Band directors looking for a Grade 2 piece with genuine concert impact and vivid musical storytelling. This works equally well for winter or spring contest entries and for concert programs where you want younger or developing bands to engage with descriptive music that rewards careful preparation.

• Shape the opening moments with dynamic restraint to establish the calm before the storm. The clarity of that peaceful section will make the turbulent music that follows hit harder.
• Balance the full ensemble sound during the intense sections. With Grade 2 writing, voices can blend into each other if players aren't listening across sections.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock ensemble rhythms and tempo during the storm passage, where the driving pulse matters most.
• Build the climax gradually across the final sections rather than jumping to full volume too soon. The best dramatic payoff comes from patient crescendo work.

Program this as a concert centerpiece or contest selection that showcases your band's ability to shape a narrative arc. The moderate length (2:35) pairs well with both faster, lighter pieces and slower, lyrical selections. It also serves as a confidence builder for Grade 2 ensembles approaching contest season.

• Dynamic control and shaping across extended phrases
• Ensemble balance during thick orchestration
• Sectional independence within a unified sound
• Responding to tempo and rhythmic precision in driving passages
• Interpretive musicality through descriptive musical text