SQWONKLETS (bass clarinet duet)

INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Bass Clarinets

DURATION: c. 15:00

YEAR COMPOSED: 2025

Consortium Commission

THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT: Purchase includes digital download of score in PDF format.

PROGRAM NOTE:

“Sqwonklets” is a set of five short pieces for two bass clarinets that tap into the spirit of the Sqwonk bass clarinet duo repertoire, but at a level that is more approachable to a wider range of bass clarinetists.

Performance of the Sqwonklets is flexible. While they are ordered in a manner that the composer finds dramatically compelling, performers should feel free to play them in a different order if they like. Each Sqwonklet is also designed to stand alone as a complete piece, and performers should feel free to perform as many or as few of the Sqwonklets on a program as they like.

The two bass clarinet parts are generally divided throughout with the first part playing the higher and more melodic parts, and the second part playing lower and more groove-based parts. They are divided this way so that if there are players who are less comfortable playing high, they can stick to the second part. But performers who want more balance between the parts should feel free to swap parts between and even within individual Sqwonklets as they like.

All of the Sqwonklets should be performed with lots of character and personality. Feel free to add vibrato, pitch bends, growls, ornaments, etc., and to change dynamics and articulations however you like. Make it your own, have fun, and remember that with these pieces it is always better to risk being over-the-top or even tasteless than to be boring!

This composition was generously commissioned by a 73-member consortium, led by Dr. Kimberly Fullerton. I am deeply grateful to all consortium members for supporting the vision for this piece and enabling me to birth and raise these dear little Sqwonklets.The members of the consortium are:

Aage Nielsen, Abby Taub, Dr. Alexandra Doyle, Andrew Rutten, Anoushka Divekar & the Luther College Clarinet Studio, Asher Carlson, Brian Almanza, Cameron Page, Cassandra Hibbard, Catherine Wood, Celine Ferro, Dr. Christa J. Frye, Clarinets of San Francisco, Daniell Dorff, Danielle Woolery & the Texas Woman's University Clarinet Studio, David Coe, [døbas], Donald Moy, DOOT (Henry McNamara & Kirsten Beveridge), Ethan Stieber, Dr. Elisabeth Stimpert, University of, Central Missouri Clarinet Studio, Enclosure Time Duo: Tucker Hall-Klingensmith and Miguel Velasco, Francesc Campoy, Garland Watson, Gordon Snyder, Hannah Faircloth, Helen Li, Isabelle Csupor, Jake O'Connor, James Aldous, James Humphrey, Jeff Anderle and the Arizona State University Clarinet Studio, Jeffrey Berry, Jenny Ziefel, Jeremy Wohletz, Johnny Engelke, Jonathan Arp, Josh Woods, Joshua and Stefanie Gardner, Julia Deschberger, Julia Kahmann, Dr. Julia Lougheed, Karen Luttik, Katherine Carleton, Ken Ferry, Kevin Perez, Kieryn Kilminster, Dr. Kimberly Fullerton’s Studio, Kristen Denny-Chambers, Larkin Sanders, Leslie Moreau, Lyndsey Dean, Margali Grenier: Major Fifth Music, Margaret Lidrbauch, Matthew Weger, Morii Duo: Richard Ferrarelli & Lindsey Hutchinson, Nathan Curry, Nicholas Councilor, Olivia Meadows, Rachel Lomeli, Sarah Hartglass, Sarah Lucas-Page, Sarah Manasreh-Decker, Sean McBride, Simone Weber, Stephen White, Ted Brankston, The [Redacted] Duo, The Beastie Girls: Phyllis Crossen-Richardson and Lynda Dembowski, Timothy Hanley, Tina Garsen, Victor Drescher, Zachary Griffin