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Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please

Posted by Steve Smith on 11/21/2024, 3:38 pm

Hey Yellow Board readers, I need your help.

I'm looking for several reasonable to play Class 2 solos for Flute, Clarinet, and Euphonium. These students went to S&E last year for the 1st time ever on Class 3's and each made a 1 but need something very reasonable to play this year. Individual titles or solo collection suggestions are welcome.

I also need suggestions for the most accessible Class 1 Alto Sax solos. My standby is Adagio and Allegro Handel/Gee but am open to anything.

AND, lastly, suggestions for a Class 1 percussion ensemble (3 performers), preferably no keyboard because only one is proficient on keyboard. This list has changed so much over the past few years, I feel completely lost here.

Thanks for your help and look forward to reading your suggestions.

Re: Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please

Posted by Bald Eagle on 11/22/2024, 11:55 am, in reply to "Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please"

Flute Class 2:
-Adagio and Rondo - Haydn/Voxman/Block
-Hebrew Dance - Perks
*from 24 Short Concert Pieces
-Sicilienne
-2nd Menuet from L'Arlesienne

Clarinet Class 2:
-Alleluia from Exultate, Jubilate, Mozart/Heim (easier than the Voxman arrangement)
-Theme and Variations - Haydn/Kaplan
-Solo from String Quartet - Mozart/Willaman
-La Villageoise - Rameau/Scarmolin
-Musette and March - Bach/Halftery

Euphonium Class 2:
-Allegro from Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 4 - Handel/Dishinger
-Polovetzian Dance - Borodin/Conley
*from the Rubank Book of Trombone/Baritone Solos
-March of a Marionette - Gounod/Walters
-Red Canyons - Johnson

Alto Sax Class 1:
-Three Romances - Schumann/Hemke (play any two movements)
-Sonata No. 5 - Platti/Hervig
-Fusion Suite - McMichael (play any two movements)
-Three Portraits of a Woman - Genin (play any one)

The last two alto solos are pretty new to the list that I know of. I just assigned them to a couple of our students for the very first time. They look and sound like they are on the more playable side, so we shall see if they end up making my list going forward.

Sorry, can't help with percussion.

Re: Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please

Posted by Mithrandir on 11/22/2024, 10:31 am, in reply to "Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please"

Class 1 Alto- I've had success with Three Romances (Hemke). But Adagio and Allegro is my go-to.

Percussion Ensemble- The list for 3 is pretty thin, but I usually pull out Variations on a Ghanaian Theme or Drum Amalgam.

Re: Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please

Posted by Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson on 11/26/2024, 9:34 am, in reply to "Re: Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please"

For percussion ensemble - if you're able to add a fourth player, "Black Racer" by Brian Blume is pretty achievable and close to your specifications. It's mostly percussive - two of the players have a repetitive 16th note ostinato part on bells in the middle section, but that's it mallet wise. Definitely a fun piece, check it out if you have a chance.

Two Sheds

Re: Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please

Posted by Remember on 11/22/2024, 8:13 am, in reply to "Solo and Ensemble Suggestions Please"

Sorry I don't have a suggestion, but just remember that they can still play a class 3 and just as with all classifications, there are certainly class 3's of various difficulty.

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