Debutante, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Herbert L. Clarke

Herbert L Clarke


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Subtitle: Caprice Brilliante


General Info

Year: 1912 / 1917
Duration: c. 5:30
Difficulty: V (solo) / IV (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bovaco
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00;   |   Score Only (print) - $8.00

For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Piano Score
Solo Cornet
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I and Soprano Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-III
E-flat Horn I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
B-flat Tenor I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Drum and Bells

(Percussion detailed desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Clarke often composed the solo works he performed, tailoring each to showcase his virtuosity and tone. Clarke wrote The Debutante to perform with the Sousa Band on their 1913 national concert tour.

- Program Note from Marine Band concert program, 7 July 2016


A large part of the Gilmore and Sousa band tradition was the inclusion of virtuosic cornet features on each concert. Clarke claimed to have given 7,000 of these solo performances in his career. Not only did he perform these showpieces, but thanks to the encouragement of fellow bandsman Arthur Pryor, he composed them.

Published in 1912, The Debutante was one of Clarke’s five most commonly performed solos. The piece is full of technical passages comprised of scales, arpeggios and multiple tonguing. Two lyrical themes are played freely, and call to mind polite society of the early twentieth century. The term “debutante” refers to a young aristocratic woman who has reached adulthood and is introduced to society through a formal debut. Coincidentally, female trumpet virtuoso Edna White recorded this piece as part of her first professional recording in 1920.

- Program Note by Anne Kovarik McNamara


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Michelle A. Rakers, conductor; Robert Bonner, cornet) – 7 July 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources