Portrait of a Clown is in A-B-A form, with a short introduction and coda. The melody in the A section, first appearing in the flutes and oboe, is bouncy and happy manner. The middle B section is flowing and melancholy, and is followed by a return to the A melody with its walking bass and woodwind countermelody.

Special thanks to Donald S. George and the University of Wisconsin - ­Eau Claire Symphony Band, who provided the initial recording of the piece, and to Cheryl Floyd and the Murchison M...