UNDER THE NORTHERN STARS/MYB: 1st B-flat Clarinet
By Dan Austin
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0019684_C1
$3.00
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Description
Experience Under The Northern Stars by Canadian composer Dan Austin. This powerful, lyrical work is a reflective musical journey exploring the endless canopy of stars, away from city lights. Its sensitive melody develops and grows, taking you on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of the night sky. (3:30)
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Young Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019684_C1
More about this title
About the Composer: Dan Austin
Dan Austin brings two decades of instrumental music teaching to his compositions, grounding his work in the realities of the classroom and rehearsal room. Currently the Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute in Ontario, Austin has earned recognition from Musicfest Canada and the Canadian National Arts Centre with the Keith Mann Outstanding Band Directors Award (2022) and was the inaugural recipient of the Beckwith Award from the Canadian Music Centre (2020). A York University jazz program graduate, he regularly shares his expertise through clinics at the Ontario Music Educators Association conference and has contributed to professional journals for both Canadian and Ontario music educators.
Austin's engagement with the academic music education community extends to guest lectures at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and York University. His dual commitment to teaching and composing ensures that his works address the pedagogical and musical needs of young musicians.
Why we love this
Austin crafts a Grade 3 work that respects young musicians' musicality while remaining genuinely accessible. The piece balances reflective lyricism with enough harmonic and textural development to reward both careful listening and focused ensemble work, making it as satisfying to conduct as it is to play.
What to expect
A quiet pilgrimage through a starlit landscape. The music unfolds with patience and wonder, drawing listeners inward rather than overwhelming them; moments of gentle swelling invite the band to grow in confidence before settling back into intimate reflection. There's a sense of discovery throughout, as if each phrase reveals something new in the darkness above.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands seeking repertoire with emotional substance and accessible technical demands. This work suits ensembles that have moved beyond early foundational pieces and are ready to tackle ensemble balance, lyrical phrasing, and sustained musical storytelling.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with consistent dynamic support from the harmony voices; even in softer passages, inner parts need presence to let the main line sing across the band.
- Attend to the balance between lyrical lines and rhythmic accompaniment figures so the contemplative character stays at the foreground rather than dissolving into competing textures.
- Explore the range of the piece's dynamic arc carefully during sectional rehearsals; young musicians often need explicit mapping of how soft sections transition into fuller voicing.
- Allow time in rehearsal for students to hear how their section contributes to the overall journey; connecting individual parts to the night-sky imagery helps sustain focus and phrasing.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone concert feature or as part of a thematic set exploring nature and sky imagery. Its moderate length (3:30) and Grade 3 accessibility make it a strong choice for spring festivals and contest events where you want to showcase both musicianship and the expressive capabilities of your ensemble.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained phrasing and breath management in lyrical passages
- Dynamic control across a wide range from soft to moderately full
- Ensemble balance with melody and harmonic support
- Melodic development and the architecture of musical storytelling