Woodwind Ensemble Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.767258 Composed by Claudio Monteverdi. Arranged by Mike Lyons. Baroque,Renaissance. 62 pages. Lyons Music Services #3121649. Published by Lyons Music Services (A0.767258). The Fifth book of madrigals starts to see much more development towards operatic style writing, with more songs being strung together to form scenas and with the addition of accompaniment on instruments. Some of these songs can be written by incorporating the accompaniment into the parts for those instruments which are resting, some will require more than a quintet. Certainly as we get into the next three books, reduction to a quintet will become increasingly more difficult, if not impossible. The final song from book 5 shows quite an advance on the previously (relatively) simple writing. Here we have a full SATB ensemble plus a quite detailed continuo. Questi vaghi (These wandering little birds) also has a more complex structure, being, by itself a scena, split into sections by ritornelli which he calls Sinfonias. At this stage, they are by no means substantial enough to be considered preludes or interludes, but merely dances between the sections of the song. Because of this added complexity, I have had to arrange the piece for a 9-part brass choir. There is some overlap and crossover between the continuo and choral parts to accommodate the different groupings needed for each section. The ritornello sections need to be played more lightly and in a skipping style to add contrast between the 'vocal sections'.

Clarinet Choir,Woodwind Ensemble Bass Clarinet,Bassethorn,Contra Alto Clarinet,E-Flat Clarinet - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1500810 By Rick Astley. By Matthew Aitken, Mike Stock, and Peter Waterman. Arranged by David Boyd. Pop. 30 pages. David Boyd #1076879. Published by David Boyd (A0.1500810). IntroductionNever Gonna Give You Up, a classic pop anthem by Rick Astley, has been reimagined for clarinet choir, bringing its infectious melody and driving rhythm into a new, sonorous setting. This arrangement captures the essence of the original while exploring the rich timbral possibilities of the clarinet family. It aims to provide a fun and engaging performance experience for players and an entertaining piece for audiences.Instrumentation:E-flat ClarinetB-flat Clarinet 1B-flat Clarinet 2B-flat Clarinet  3B-flat Clarinet  4B-flat Clarinet  5B-flat Clarinet  6 (Alternate E-flat Clarinet)B-flat Clarinet  7 (Alternate E-flat Alto Clarinet)Basset Horn in F (Alternate E-flat Alto Clarinet)E-flat Alto ClarinetB-flat Bass Clarinet 1B-flat Bass Clarinet 2B-flat Bass Clarinet 3E-flat Contra Alto ClarinetB-flatContrabass ClarinetDrum Kit (optional)I encourage you to adapt this instrumentation to your ensemble as needed. Alternate B-flat parts are provided. The alto clarinet solo is cued in both the Basset Horn and Clarinet 7 part. The Clarinet 1 solo is cued an octave lower in Clarinet 2.Structure and FormThe arrangement retains much of the original song's form in a condensed format, including the iconic intro, verse, and chorus. It omits the bridge entirely. Careful attention has been given to the balance and texture, ensuring each section of the clarinet choir contributes to the overall sound.Performance ConsiderationsDynamics and Articulation: Players should pay close attention to the dynamic contrasts throughout the arrangement. The verses should be lighter and more articulate, while the chorus demands a fuller, more resonant sound. Articulations are marked to mimic the vocal phrasing of the original song, so accents and staccatos should be crisp and well-defined.Balance and Blend: Given the diverse range of voices in the clarinet choir, balance is crucial. The melody must always be prominent, particularly in the chorus where it may be in unison across several voices. Ensure that the supporting lines do not overpower the melody, especially in the lower clarinets.Technical Challenges: While the arrangement is accessible to intermediate players, some sections, particularly in the Eb Clarinet and 1st Bb Clarinet parts, may require attention to finger dexterity and breath control. Encourage players to practise these passages slowly, focusing on evenness of tone and clarity.