ISMN#979-0-3071-0052-7
ASCAP WORK ID# 934131906
Enrich your repertoire with this intermediate arrangement for clarinet quartet of John Philip Sousa's iconic patriotic march, "Hands Across the Sea"--instantly downloadable for your next performance. Sousa wrote this march in 1899 and dedicated it to all of America's friends abroad. This arrangement is perfect for recitals, Americana events, patriotic concerts, background dinner music gigs, Pops concerts, graduations, or weddings. This short, engaging piece can break up a long program and give listeners a brief break from the heavier pieces. This arrangement was written for advanced high school ensembles, college groups, and professional quartets.
Sousa's marches can offer some interesting challenges to players. One of the challenges players often face in this march is the dotted-quarter-eighth-note rhythm in the Trio section. It is quite easy to fall into the trap of playing these rhythms as 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. Originally scored for a full concert band, I hope you enjoy this unique setting for clarinet quartet.
Updated 23 Sep 2026
ISMN#979-0-3071-0052-7
ASCAP WORK ID# 934131906
Enrich your repertoire with this intermediate arrangement for clarinet quartet of John Philip Sousa's iconic patriotic march, "Hands Across the Sea"--instantly downloadable for your next performance. Sousa wrote this march in 1899 and dedicated it to all of America's friends abroad. This arrangement is perfect for recitals, Americana events, patriotic concerts, background dinner music gigs, Pops concerts, graduations, or weddings. This short, engaging piece can break up a long program and give listeners a brief break from the heavier pieces. This arrangement was written for advanced high school ensembles, college groups, and professional quartets.
Sousa's marches can offer some interesting challenges to players. One of the challenges players often face in this march is the dotted-quarter-eighth-note rhythm in the Trio section. It is quite easy to fall into the trap of playing these rhythms as 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. Originally scored for a full concert band, I hope you enjoy this unique setting for clarinet quartet.
Updated 23 Sep 2026
You-Tube score-following video of John Philip Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea,” arranged for clarinet quartet by Mark A. Craig/Craig Music Publishers
This is a clarinet quartet arrangement of John Philip Sousa’s patriotic march "Hands Across the Sea." The digital download includes a PDF with the full score and a complete set of parts.
Instrumentation:
Bb Clarinet (3)
Bass Clarinet (1)
