When the opportunity came around for me to compose audition études for the state of Illinois, I JUMPED at the chance! If you are familiar with my music/études, then you know that pedagogy is always a huge priority in my writing. So, students and teachers, I genuinely hope you enjoy learning these études that hopefully check ALL of the boxes: appropriate challenges for an audition, sensible lines with tunes and phrasing that make sense, music that sits well on the clarinet and/or highlights pedagogical opportunities for the clarinet, and just plain fun to learn, play and teach!
For teachers, students, and clarinetists who are completely out of the ILMEA network, you are certainly welcome to use these ètudes in lessons or for your own learning/enjoyment. Please note that the études are under copyright and can only be used in teaching or learning settings (in other words, using these études as audition pieces in another region/state would be a breach of the copyright).
For more information on the ILMEA auditions and audition process, click HERE. For local students and teachers, I will be presenting an in-person MASTERCLASS of all of the audition études at Northeastern Illinois University in the evening on Monday, May 18, 2026. More details coming soon!
See below for downloadable and printable PDFs of my original versions of each étude (a little easier on the eyes) AND reference audio tracks that I recorded. Please note that the low clarinet tracks were recorded on a Bb clarinet. YouTube coaching videos will be added soon!
SENIOR Bb Clarinet – LYRICAL Étude
SENIOR Bb Clarinet – TECHNICAL Étude