The Sleeping Place of the Stars: 2nd B-flat Clarinet
By Ralph Ford
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015600_C2
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Description
Musically depicting the legend of the mysterious Shades Valley in central Alabama, this work draws its inspiration from the poem of the same name written by Ethel Armes. The percussion section sets the stage for the development of the thematic material by building on the aggressive opening musical statement. The melody builds to a glorious conclusion with a fervent end. (4:32)
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
304
SKU:
00-PC-0015600_C2
More about this title
About the Composer: Ralph Ford
Ralph Ford brings three decades of professional experience across composition, arranging, conducting, and music education. After earning his Master of Science degree in 1988, he spent fifteen years on the music faculty at Troy State University, teaching orchestration, arranging, theory, and applied brass while serving as staff arranger for the university band program. His career expanded into media production, broadcast, and commercial work, earning international recognition for advertising scores and animation.
Since 1999, Ford has worked as an exclusive composer and arranger for the Belwin division of Alfred Music in Los Angeles. His catalog now exceeds 250 published titles spanning orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and marching band. His music has been commissioned and performed by university, military, professional, community, and school ensembles worldwide, establishing him as a prolific and sought-after voice in American band composition.
Why we love this
Ford crafts an accessible programmatic work that delivers genuine dramatic arc without requiring advanced technique from young players. The percussion section anchors the piece with personality, giving rhythmic players something substantial to own, while the melody unfolds clearly enough for Grade 2 readers to feel like they're part of something bigger than an exercise. Directors appreciate pieces that balance storytelling with teachability, and this one achieves both.
What to expect
The piece evokes the mystique of Shades Valley through an opening percussion-driven soundscape that feels both unsettling and alluring. As thematic material emerges and builds, the music transforms from mysterious murmuring into bold, fervent declaration, creating a satisfying dramatic journey from shadow to brightness.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking repertoire with genuine programmatic substance and dramatic storytelling. This work suits developing ensembles that can handle straightforward rhythms and clear melodic lines while exploring how music can paint a narrative landscape.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the percussion opening as a confident, deliberate gesture that sets atmospheric tension rather than rushing the tempo. Young players often push too quickly when excited; let the aggressive character breathe.
- Shape the melodic build toward the conclusion as a unified gesture. Frequent sectional checking on pitch center and dynamic trajectory prevents the line from losing direction during development.
- Balance the thematic material so supporting voices maintain rhythmic precision without overwhelming the primary melody. Grade 2 ensemble control benefits from clear dynamic balance rehearsals.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener that captures audience attention through narrative intrigue rather than bombast, or place it early in a fall festival program where its Grade 2 accessibility paired with musical maturity impresses adjudicators. The 4:32 duration fits naturally into concert pacing without dominating a program built around mixed grade levels.
Skills your students will build
- Reading programmatic intent through orchestration and dynamic shaping
- Ensemble balance and sectional independence within a unified melodic structure
- Pacing extended thematic development across accessible Grade 2 technical demands
- Percussion coordination and rhythmic precision in establishing musical foundation