Sousa: Hands Across the Sea - for Clarinet Choir

ISMN#979-0-3071-0083-1
ASCAP WORK ID# 937815414

This intermediate digital download arrangement for clarinet choir of John Philip Sousa's popular march "Hands Across the Sea" is perfect for recitals, patriotic concerts, Americana events, or background-dinner-music gigs. It is a short, engaging piece that can break up a long program and give the ears a brief hiatus from some of the heavier pieces on the program.

One of the problems players often face in this march is the dotted-quarter-eighth-note rhythm in the Trio section. It is very easy to fall into the trap of playing these like triplets; they are not triplets. The rhythm needs to be crisp and accurate. Also, as you so often find in Sousa marches, in the last four bars before the "dogfight" at rehearsal numbers 13 and 17, particularly at 13, make sure to bring that decrescendo down to niente. That way, the fortissimo pickup notes to the dogfight will have better dynamic contrast and overall impact. 

This arrangement was written for advanced high school ensembles, college groups, and professional quartets. My clarinet choir arrangements have equally balanced parts, so Eb, all Bb's, and Alto will play melody, countermelody, and obbligato/technical passages. Originally scored for a full concert band, I hope you enjoy this setting for clarinets.

Updated 2 Jul 2026