**Work** : American Sketch 
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**Composer** : Francis H. McKay [[http://composers.com/frances-mckay]]
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**Difficulty Ranking** : [[ii|II]]
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**Publisher** : C.L. Barnhouse Inc.
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**Year Published** : 1937
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**Instrumentation** : 3 Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinet or 2 Bb Clarinets, Alto Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet
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**Potential Pedagogical Applications** : Articulation matching, intonation (octave, unison, and
chordal), ensemble mechanics (tempo transitions), phrase matching, tone development and blend
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**Sample Recording** : 
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**Where to Purchase Sheet Music** : [[http://www.jwpepper.com/1006527.item#.VqwwJvl9600]]
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**Annotation** : American Sketch is a short work for mixed clarinet quartet. The original score
contains an alto clarinet part, but the work is more frequently performed with three Bb clarinets.
The inclusion of the alto clarinet is more an indication of the trend of the time of composition.
The range of the work only enters the altissimo register in the first clarinet part. The writing is
also primarily grouped in pairs, making it easier for younger ensembles to identify the different
lines.
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{{:mckay_american_sketch.png?nolink|}}