Across The Field This song is one of two fight songs frequently played at Ohio State University athletic events. Over the years it has become popular at many other schools in the state, and is often played and sung with words adapted to the local team.
The song was composed by William A. Dougherty, Jr. in 1915, while he was a varsity manager for the football team. The first trumpet carries the melody, with the trombone providing a counter melody and the tuba setting the beat.
The French horn and second trumpet provide the harmony elements. The arrangement is simple enough that it could be played in the cold, or while moving, but my favorite is to be seated in a comfortable auditorium.
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Away in a Manger - Silent Night This arrangement for brass quintet employs contemporary harmonies with the traditional melodies to provide a sound that is pleasing to the ear while making the pieces sound fresh. The first carol is Away In A Manger and then it transitions to Silent Night.
The top four voices take turns with the melody while the tuba sets a foundation with chromatic passing tones that should be given a little emphasis as they occur.
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For The Beauty of the Earth - Kocher/Grunewald The tune that is often used for the lyrics started with a hymn written by the German composer, Conrad Kocher, in 1836.
The melody was modified by William Chatterton Dix in 1859, for a hymn titled "As With Gladness Men Of Old", hence the tune is often identified in hymnals as "DIX".
Though there are several other hymn tunes that can be used with the text, this arrangement also uses a modern setting by Donnalynn Grunewald (2013) in triple meter.
The words to For the Beauty of the Earth were written in 1864 by Folliott S. Pierpoint, an English teacher and poet.
The marriage of the text with the melody by Kocher/Dix is credited to an English organist, William H. Monk in 1861. The popularity of the hymn is due partly to the
aptness of the text to Thanksgiving celebrations, thus assuring in annual performance. Not only do the words express thanks for the world in which we live,
but it also includes thanks for family and friends, "brother, sister, parent, child. Friends on earth and friends above".
Also worthy of note is the universality of the sentiment, expressed in a way that can be embraced by people of any religion.
Purchase and download from SMP Press. $12.99 US. For The Beauty Of the Earth - Brass quintet
Hogwarts' March - Patrick Doyle The tuba part may be the most fun part to play even though it is not the melody. The flowing melody line in the middle
is played predominantly by the trombone, with a little sharing in the other parts. The range and endurance required is within the capabilities
of most high school or amateur players. The short passages of sixteenth notes in the trumpets are the most difficult sections in any of the parts,
and could be simplified if required.
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Hogwarts' March - Brass quintet
La Paix - Largo alla Siciliana - from Music for the Royal Fireworks by G.F. Handel This movement is a quiet prelude to The Rejoicing. It works well in church services and weddings.
Purchase and download from SMP Press. $10.00 US. La Paix - Brass Quintet
Once Upon A Dream - Sleeping Beauty Waltz This arrangement for brass quintet starts with the theme as adapted for the Disney film by George Bruns and then transitions to a setting that reflects the orchestral version by Tchaikovsky.
The range is moderate except for the trombone, in which the melody ascends to c2 briefly. The notes are queued in the second trumpet if the range is not secure for the trombonist.
Since this piece is often used in weddings, it may need to be shortened, so cadence points have been indicated in the parts for optional endings.
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Trombone Ensemble
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (Trombone or Tuba quartet) - Berlin This arrangement is for trombone quartet (or other bass clef instruments).
The 4th part contains the chords for the easy addition of a piano, bass and drums rhythm section.
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A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (Trombone quintet) - Berlin This arrangement is for trombone quintet (or other bass clef instruments).
This arrangement features the first and second trombone with the melody. The fourth trombone is largely independent, providing rhythmic motion in the phrases. The arrangement has similar range for the first and second trombones, and is set in a comfortable range for bass trombone.
Chords are available in the bass trombone part and lyrics are in the first trombone part so this can be used as the basis for expanded solos.
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A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody with optional rhythm - Berlin This arrangement is for trombone quintet with optional rhythm section (or other bass clef instruments), with the option to utilize a vocalist on the lead who also plays trombone, or the vocalist and first trombone can take turns.
The rhythm section is also optional.
The song was a hit in 1919 and became the theme song of the Ziegfeld Follies. It was also used frequently in Miss America pageants prior to 1955. Berlin believed this song was in the top 5 of the hundreds of songs he wrote.
Purchase and download from SMP Press. $15.00 US. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody - Trombone quintet
For The Beauty of the Earth - Kocher/Grunewald The tune that is often used for the lyrics started with a hymn written by the German composer, Conrad Kocher, in 1836.
The melody was modified by William Chatterton Dix in 1859, for a hymn titled "As With Gladness Men Of Old", hence the tune is often identified in hymnals as "DIX".
Though there are several other hymn tunes that can be used with the text, this arrangement also uses a modern setting by Donnalynn Grunewald (2013) in triple meter.
The words to For the Beauty of the Earth were written in 1864 by Folliott S. Pierpoint, an English teacher and poet.
The marriage of the text with the melody by Kocher/Dix is credited to an English organist, William H. Monk in 1861. The popularity of the hymn is due partly to the
aptness of the text to Thanksgiving celebrations, thus assuring in annual performance. Not only do the words express thanks for the world in which we live,
but it also includes thanks for family and friends, "brother, sister, parent, child. Friends on earth and friends above".
Also worthy of note is the universality of the sentiment, expressed in a way that can be embraced by people of any religion.
Purchase and download from SMP Press. $12.99 US. For The Beauty Of the Earth - Trombone quintet
Harrigan - Cohan "Harrigan" was written for the musical Fifty Miles From Boston, which opened February 3, 1908 and closed a month later.
It was named as a tribute to the Irish-American actor, Edward Harrigan.
While the other major songs from the musical are rarely performed, "Harrigan" found favor with audiences.
Born to Irish parents, it shouldn't be surprising that the lyrics "proud of all the Irish that is in me" have a heart-felt ring to them.
It didn't hurt that another actor of Irish descent, James Cagney, sang the piece in the very successful production about Cohan, Yankee Doodle Dandy.
In this arrangement, all the players get a piece of the melody. The range on the first part is up to Bb above the staff and the bass trombone goes to Bb below the staff.
This should be within the grasp of a good high school group, and has enough variety to be enjoyed by advanced players.
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Harrigan - Trombone quintet
I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas - John Rox This arrangement is for trombone quintet (or other bass clef instruments) with optional rhythm parts.
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I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas
I'm In the Mood For Love - Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields This arrangement is for trombone quintet (or other bass clef instruments) with optional rhythm parts. When performed with rhythm,
the solo section can be expanded to include additional solos.
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I'm In The Mood For Love
My Melancholy Baby - Ernie Burnett The lyrics, by George Norton, "Come to me my melancholy baby, Cuddle up and don't be blue", have probably been whispered between
partners countless times. This infectious little tune has been recorded in a variety of tempos and styles, from sultry ballad to up tempo swing,
by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker. The combination of lyrics and melody have made this a timeless hit.
In this arrangement, the melody is predominantly in the first and 2nd parts, with the range on the first part is up to B4 above the staff and the
second trombone goes to A4 above the staff. This song is often performed without the verse, which precedes the chorus, but is included in this
arrangement, set apart with a lighter texture and slower tempo. The stretching of pulse the first measure can be omitted if the cohesiveness of
the ensemble dictates. The familiar chorus should have a comfortable swing feel. (ASPN pitch notation)
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My Melancholy Baby - Trombone quintet
My Way - Revaux, Francois, Thibault, Anka This arrangement for trombone quintet can stand alone as a quintet, and works even better with added rhythm section.
This arrangement moves the melody around as it builds to the final phrase. The style of the accompaniment changes to give each chorus a distinctive feel.
The use of plungers not only makes the bass trombone part stand out more, but also changes what the audience sees and hears.
The quintet can stand alone, or, with the addition of piano, bass and drums increase the impact of the dramatic conclusion.
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My Way - Trombone quintet w/opt rhythm
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond This arrangement sounds full and complete with 5 trombones, or can be expanded with a rhythm section.
The optional addition of piano, bass, and drums, adds more rhythmic elements to give more energy.
Because of the the popularity of this song, it makes a good selection to include in a concert, beginning, middle, or end.
Several recordings extend the final chorus and audiences often join in with 'BA, BA, BAA'; hence the notation in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th parts to sing and encourage the audience.
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Sweet Caroline - Trombone quintet w/opt rhythm
The Stripper - David Rose David Rose originally wrote "The Stripper" in 1958 as a snippet in a television program called "Burlesque".
During a recording session with his orchestra, he encouraged the players to "clown around with it"
This arrangement for trombone quartet has indications for glissando, flutter tongue smears, and flips.
Each part has a meaty chunk of the tune to sink their teeth into. Audiences love this one as much as the players.
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The Stripper - Trombone quartet
Trees - Kilmer/Rasbach
The lyrics for the poem "Trees" were created by Joyce Kilmer around 1913. Its popularity is, perhaps, due to a combination of its brevity and the
clarity of its message. In it he expresses a deep sense of wonder in the beauty of "a tree" and by extension, all trees, and their connection to the
creator. There is a sense of humility also. In the closing he admits that "poems are made by fools" but only God makes trees.
Kilmer's life was lost while fighting in Europe during WWI. Oscar Rasbach was an American composer, born in Kentucky, who studied both in the US
and in Vienna. He made his home and livelihood in California as a music teacher, pianist, composer and choral conductor. This setting has the
upper 4 voices playing primarily block chords with the melody always carried prominently by the first part. A secure upper register to C5 is required.
The bass trombone part has a contrasting line that consists of ascending and descending arpeggios, which should be played smoothly, and especially so when marked with slurs. (ASPN pitch notation)
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Trees - Trombone quintet
Who Put the Bomp with optional rhythm
A number of pieces popular in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s had lyrics that had no meaning but were nonsense syllables (non-lexical vocables) that were sung.
By the 1960s, the genre, with its simple chords, nonsense syllables, often sung a cappella or featuring a 4 or 5 part vocal group with simple accompaniment, was starting to fade in popularity.
The song Who Put the Bomp manages to be both a part of the genre and a nostalgic reflection on its passing.
The range of the first and second trombone goes briefly up to B flat4, the third trombone goes up to G4. The range of the fourth trombone is a modest A flat2 to F4,
but has the opening solo. The Bass Trombone provides the rhythmic drive and harmonic foundation. The range is consistently low, from A flat1 to E flat3,
thus requiring a player with solid technique and determination to keep the tempo from sagging. (ASPN pitch notation)
This arrangement may be played by trombone quintet with or without the optional rhythm section. When performed without the rhythm section accompaniment,
it is essential for each player to strive to keep the tempo up.
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Who Put The Bomp - Trombone quintet with opt. rhythm
You Belong To Me with optional rhythm
Chilton Price originally wrote this song with the title, "Hurry Home to Me". In collaboration with Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, it was modified slightly
and re-titled as "You Belong To Me". The song has been recorded by countless artists since its first release in 1952. This arrangement is reminiscent of the
Jo Stafford recording. The scoops and falls which are indicated in the parts work very well for trombones, but should be not be over done. They should mimic
the vocal inflections of a singer.
The optional rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums, makes this piece stronger, and could be a good selection to include as a trombone feature in a larger
ensemble concert. There is a solo in the third trombone that is written out, but chords are also included for additional freedom.
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You Belong to Me - Trombone quintet with opt. rhythm
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Albert Hague This arrangement is for trombone quintet. The melody is in the 4th part. All parts are in a comfortable range.
The bass trombone provides a groovy foundation.
Purchase and download from SMP Press. $15.00 US. You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
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