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Brass Quintet

One of the most popular and rapidly growing chamber ensembles is the brass quintet. The fame that has spread world-wide of such groups as THE CANADIAN BRASS and THE EMPIRE BRASS is staggering. This very versatile instrumentation leads to a huge potential for varied repertoire for the concert hall or in churches, weddings, receptions, etc. The list of contemporary pieces composed for this instrumentation is ever growing but the true excitement for this ensemble is the performing of transcriptions and arrangements of works originally for other instrumentations.

A showpiece for the piccolo trumpet. The soaring coloratura solo has been transposed down a step to facilitate the brass quintet. While the piccolo is playing Fs above high C, the remainder of the ensemble is supporting with avery playable accompaniment that has been reduced from the orchestral part.
Although the solo piccolo trumpet (or alternate E-flat trumpet) part is demanding in range, the other parts should not prove to be difficult to coordinate.
This classical favourite will amaze audiences and perhaps give them a good introduction to the piccolo trumpet.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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The premise of this set of transcriptions was to provide a substantial suite of pieces from Handel's Messiah for the performing brass quintet. The difficulty in the various pieces range from quite easy, which a high school ensemble could play with little rehearsal, to fairly difficult, which could challenge a professional, working quintet. Piccolo and E-flat trumpets are used extensively and the range and technical demands on all players makes for interesting and challenging parts. There have been selected movements that are features for 1 (or more instruments). Each member in the ensemble has at least 1 movement that is their solo and this allows all the talents in a group to be displayed. After a quick glance over the list of 10 pieces one quickly notices that the famous Hallelujah! is not among them. This has been done intentionally. There are many renditions of this chorus already at a brass player's disposal, so any of those arrangements would help to augment this suite.
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BQ966	Sinfony (Overture)		$15.00
BQ967	Comfort Ye / Every valley	-- Euphonium Solo --	$15.00
BQ968	Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)		$10.00
BQ969	Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion	-- Trumpet Solo --	$15.00
BQ9610	He shall feed His flock like a shepherd	-- Horn Solo --	$15.00
BQ9611	His yoke is easy		$15.00
BQ9612	All we like sheep have gone astray		$15.00
BQ9613	The trumpet shall sound	-- Tuba/Trumpet Solo --	$15.00
BQ9614	Worthy is the Lamb		$15.00

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Originally for 2 horns and strings, this arrangement now features the 2 trumpets with the remainder of the ensemble performing the string parts. The first trumpet part works best when played on E-flat trumpet to keep the lightness and grace in the writing and an agile trombone player is required to perform the arpeggiated string lines. The stately maestoso is an often performed work especially by period instrument ensembles and the fanfare-type figures lend themselves well to the brass quintet. At less than 3 minutes in length, this work is not too strenuous but is an interesting addition to the quintet repertoire.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Written in a baroque style, this three movement work combines imitative counterpoint between the 2 trumpets that is characteristic of Vivaldi. Written for Black and White Brass, this piece displays lightness of articulation from all members of the ensemble. All parts are interesting, especially the tuba part which is similar to a Vivaldi or Bach continuo line.

Rating: Medium

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A classic for brass. Although other versions of this work have been arranged for brass quintet, this new arrangement has the melody line in each part including the tuba! All parts have ample rests and the use of cup mutes in the trumpets adds an interesting shimmering effect to an already grand work.

Rating: Medium

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Composed during the summer of 1994 and first prize winner at the 1995 University of Laval Festival for Brass Composition Competition, the Three Ludes for Brass Quintet was written with the requirements that the piece be appealing to a junior school audience, playable by students at the university level and comprised of short contrasting movements. The resulting collection, a Prelude, Interlude, and Postlude all offer characteristic brass writing and incorporate a wide variety of musical material ranging from lyrical and delicatethemes to energetic fanfares and fugal passages. An exciting and spirited work, the Three Ludes is an excellent addition to the repertoire of any brass quintet.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Cotton Candy is a quick, light and fun tune intended as a closer or encore on a quintet concert. It is musically simple and the harmonies are typical of cartoon or circus music. This is meant to be a show-up tune for the quintet, particularly the trumpets. The title suggests the gaiety that one would encounter at a town fair or circus, eating "food" that is nothing but sugar!

Rating: Medium

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Turkey in the Straw is true hoe-down music and should be played with the energy of square dancers. The syncopated rhythms combined with the short crisp articulations make this a fun tune for both listener and performer. In this spirit of fun, the solo line has been given to the tuba through the middle section.

Rating: Medium

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Luca Marenzio was best known for his writing of madrigals and this is a fine example of Marenzio's choral writing. This transcription for brass quintet places relatively few technical demands on the players, so it is a fine opportunity for younger musicians to develop the techniques of expressive playing. It is scored for 2 trumpets, horn, trombone 1 (alternate horn 2) and trombone 2. The part for trombone 2 is also suitable for baritone.

Rating: Medium

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This colourful and interesting work was originally scored for solo piano. The change in modes and the passing around of the melody make this work a very attractive selection for brass quintet. Set at the "medium" level, this piece is not too difficult and could be put together very quickly. Range and technical requirements have been controlled to make it approachable by a mid high school level ensemble.

Rating: Medium

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Similar to A Hungarian Folk Tune, Hunting Song is a piece designed for the mid high school level ensemble. Range and technique problems have been considered yet all parts are interesting. Melody is found primarily in the trumpet parts, but there are also several good sections featuring the trombone. There are not very many works accessible for this playing level and these two new arrangements add to that short list.

Rating: Medium

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This original work by talented composer Jeff Smallman brings the style of an adapted Baroque suite to the modern brass quintet. Several short movements, typical of the Baroque suite, include an invention, gigue, air, and march. All parts are interesting and fun to play in this exciting composition. Typical Baroque gestures are altered slightly at times to allow the composer to include some of his own musical colour to music from days gone by.

Rating: Difficult

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The rag, popularized by Scott Joplin and others of his time, is a musical form still enjoyed by the audiences of today. Neil Hunter has cleverly captured the spirit, rhythms and colour of the rag in Pine Ridge Rag for brass quintet. There have been many arrangements of Joplin's pieces for brass quintet but very few original rags have been written for this versatile ensemble. This is a guaranteed audience pleaser and could be used as a signature tune or an encore piece.

Rating: Medium

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The opera Carmencontains some of the famous and popular themes in the repertoire. The music is often performed in a concert setting as orchestral suites. This arrangement takes several of the more famous sections from both Orchestral Suites and forms this Minisuite. Pieces include Argonaise, Séguedille and Les Toréadors. The majority of technical requirements have been reduced to make this arrangement suitable for mid high school level performers.

Rating: Medium

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Originally for piano, this Adagio has been elegantly transcribed for the brass quintet. It has been scored as a lyrical horn feature but all parts are interesting and everyone gets a break. Lyrical pieces, such as this one, have many uses including weddings, concerts and church services. All parts are fairly easy and would require very little rehearsal time to prepare.

Rating: Medium

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The multiple volumes of madrigals written by the great Claudio Monteverdi have been performed and recorded extensively. These two madrigals, Cruda Amarilli and Chiome D¹Oro, are very different in style and tempo. Each could be performed individually or together as a set. The vocal nature of the parts is perfect for the singing sound of the brass quintet.

Rating: Medium

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This is the most famous section of this opera. This short duet has been used on commercials, in movie soundtracks and performed in recitals. A chance to show off the lyrical side of your two trumpets, The Flower Duet makes a great quintet piece with many uses in both concerts and on gigs as good background music.

Rating: Medium

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This arrangement from Water Music is approachable by a high school level quintet. The Canadian Brass arrangement of this suite uses piccolo trumpet extensively as well as range extremes in all parts. This new suite is ideal for church services, weddings or any other gigs. The movements include Minuet, Air, Allegro and Alla Hornpipe.

Rating: Medium

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Fun, fun, fun! A great closer to a concert. Everyone gets a section of melody and all parts are rhythmically interesting without being too difficult. Optional clapping, metre changes and other interesting arranging techniques will make this traditional tune an audience favourite.

Rating: Medium

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The famous themes from this orchestral masterpiece have been collected and arranged for brass quintet. Included in this mini suite are the principal melodies from The Sea and Sinbad's Ship and The Young Prince and Princess. This is not too difficult and is approachable by students in mid-high school.

Rating: Medium

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This beautiful hymn has been arranged to feature the horn player in the brass quintet. This arrangement opens with a short introduction then proceeds through several verses. Each verse is scored differently for interest with the melody wanders throughout the ensemble.

Rating: Medium

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This famous movement from the flute sonata lends itself well to the brass quintet. Melody is found throughout the ensemble. This short tuneful piece would work well on any concert program.

Rating: Medium

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This elegant intermezzo is the most famous part of this opera. It opens quietly, builds, then ends how it began. Melody is in the trumpets and horn and no parts are too difficult or taxing. This beautiful melody is a great slow work for a concert or ceremony.

Rating: Medium

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This vocal showpiece for soprano has been adapted for a trumpet showpiece within a brass quintet. The string accompaniment has been simplified and divided between the remaining players. This is a great piece to show off a trumpet player and demonstrate the subtlety of the music of Mozart by a brass quintet.

Rating: Medium

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Crimond or The Lord¹s My Shepherd is a simple and elegant hymn that is commonly sung in church. This short arrangement opens with the traditional SATB scoring then develops into a colourful mosaic of sound and timbre. Melody is passed throughout the ensemble with variations in rhythm which lead to a dramatic ending.

Rating: Medium

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This beautiful slow piece is ideal for that change of pace piece on a concert. Its lyric nature also makes it a perfect selection for weddings or church services as pleasant, quiet background music. This work was originally a soprano aria and the lyrical musical line is great to demonstrate the singing quality of brass instruments.

Rating: Medium

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This folksong has been arranged in a theme and variations format for flute, saxophone, trumpet and the most famous version for trombone. This arrangement for brass quintet features a trumpet soloist with the ensemble playing the accompaniment figures as well as the break strains. The solo part is very reasonable and sounds harder than it is!

Rating: Medium

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This is the ultimate tenor aria and what better instrument to give the solo to then the trombone. A trombone feature from the opening, this piece is ideal to show off the trombone in the quintet. The original key has been lowered to reduce any range extremes and to make this great piece approachable by more ensembles.

Rating: Medium

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This Spanish piece was originally written for guitar. It might sound like a stretch to arrange a piece from guitar to brass quintet but this really works! The flavour is preserved and the parts are not too difficult. Cup mutes in the trumpet parts add a different colour to echo the horn/trombone duet sound. Add something different to your next concert.

Rating: Medium

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass instruments. This arrangement for brass quintet is a welcome addition to this repertoire. Antiphonal spacing is always a successful performance practice allowing the passing of melodic material to be enhanced by the spatial distance.

Rating: Medium

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This work was originally for piano but its transformation to brass quintet seemed logical because of the melodic material. The work opens with trumpet melody then progresses to a series of arpeggios passing throughout the group. The tuba then has a long section of solo melody before the return of the first section. Melodic, rhythmic, exciting!

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Finally, a feature for horn that is not a lyrical one! This work (originally for lute or mandolin) is great for the horn to take center stage. The solo part is not too difficult yet interesting for players to perform and the audience to listen to. A familiar Vivaldi tune for horn-what could be better?

Rating: Medium

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Dodge City is an exuberant piece designed to take you back to the time of the old west. As the title implies, this is a work that will bring to mind stagecoaches and sagebrush, cowboys and cactus, sheriffs and showdowns. Quick and lighthearted, the opening and closing sections frame a lyric middle section. Dodge City has captured the atmosphere of a bustling city from the old west and is sure to captivate performers and audiences alike.

Rating: Medium

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The Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi is truly a magnificent work. The Laudamus Te is a vocal duet arranged here for duetting trumpets with horn, trombone, tuba accompaniment. This duet is typical of the music of Vivaldi with imitative scale passages and melodic lines cleverly intertwining.

Rating: Medium

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This very popular piece has been arranged many times for various instruments. The chorale is played before the popular triple metre theme. The four upper voices pass the weaving line between them and periodically the chorale is stated above it.

Rating: Medium

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This is a solo for the flugelhorn. The other voices support the soloist during this beautiful lyrical solo. The complete Capriol Suite has been arranged for double brass quintet by David Marlatt.

Rating: Medium

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This is a tuba solo. There are short interjections by the other players but mainly this is a technical feature for the tuba player. The scales and arpeggios in this showpiece fit nicely under the fingers which makes this solo sound harder than it is!

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is a truly unique arrangement for brass. This is a traditional South African folksong that has been adapted and arranged for brass quintet. The original a capella version seemed a little thin for brass quintet so some authentic rhythmic backgrounds were added to represent drums and other percussion instruments. This is exciting music to add something really different to your next concert.

Rating: Medium

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Spirituals have found their way into the standard repertoire of vocalists and instrumentalists. The lyrical tunes combined with the powerful message they tell affect us all. This arrangement is mainly a trumpet feature but all parts are interesting and the jazz harmonies add a really great colour to this famous spiritual.

Rating: Medium

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The famous Jig Fugue by Bach is a favourite with organists. It is light-hearted and energetic with its rollicking triple meter. The key has been altered to facilitate the brass quintet at this level. All parts are very active including the tuba, who must tackle the tricky bass lines of Bach. There is also a version of this work for 2 trumpets and organ available through Eighth Note Publications.

Rating: Medium

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Spirituals have found their way into the standard repertoire of vocalists and instrumentalists. The lyrical tunes combined with the powerful message they tell affect us all. This arrangement is a horn feature. It opens with the horn alone, adds more voices and grows in excitement and energy then resolves to a quiet and peaceful conclusion.

Rating: Medium

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This folksong has been arranged in a theme and variations format for a variety of instruments. The original Eighth Note Publications arrangement for brass quintet was a trumpet feature but, at the request of a high school student, it was adapted for a trombone soloist. The ensemble plays the accompaniment figures as well as the break strains. The solo part is very reasonable and sounds harder than it is!

Rating: Medium

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This famous folksong was brilliantly arranged as a concert band showpiece and has been adapted here for brass quintet. Melody is found throughout the ensemble and rhythmic variety keeps the piece interesting and exciting for both players and the audience. Creative writing and a popular melody make this an ideal piece for concert or contest use.

Rating: Medium

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This is a great swing arrangement of the chorus Give Me Oil In My Lamp. A nice upbeat treatment of this standard chorus would be suitable for high school level players. All parts are interesting including a great walking bass line in the tuba.

Rating: Medium

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This was an award winning composition for the 1994 Glenn Gould Composition Contest sponsored by the Canada and Bermuda Territory of the Salvation Army. This is a spirited arrangement of the song We Shall Win. Also included with the quintet parts is an optional percussion line which adds a new colour to the traditional quintet sound.

Rating: Medium

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This is the most famous movement from the Orchestral Suite No. 3. The famous Canadian Brass quintet version is great only if you have a monster piccolo trumpet player. This is in a much lower key and features the horn in some sections for some variety in the sound. Now this beautiful piece is playable by high school level quintets.

Rating: Medium

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass instruments. This arrangement for brass quintet is a welcome addition to this repertoire. Antiphonal spacing is always a successful performance practice allowing the passing of melodic material to be enhanced by the spatial distance.

Rating: Medium

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This colourful title aptly combines the basis for the piece and the person it was written for. Tenth grade trumpet player Alex McCarthy would come to brass quintet rehearsals and, rather than warming up, he would play excerpts from the Denis Di Blasio tune Coconut Champagne which was written for Maynard Ferguson and his band. This piece uses the melodic material as a base for this upbeat tune for quintet and optional drum set.

Rating: Medium

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This is a great upbeat swing version of the Sunday School Song "Peter, James and John in a Sailboat". It features a fun walking bass line in the tuba a solos from the other four members of the quintet. Fun but not too hard!

Rating: Medium

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This piece require no introduction. This is a Christmas standard that arranger Ty Watson has added his own twist to. This is in a calypso style with a great rhythmic tuba part to propel the tune along. Melody is in the trumpets with counter melodies in the trombone and horn. Click here for all of our Christmas tunes.

Rating: Medium

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This is certainly one of the most beloved pieces of holiday music throughout the world. This arrangement is fairly standard in its opening and proceeds through the verse and chorus with the instruments pairing up in duets. The trumpets play fanfare passages against the melody in the mid voices. Click here for all of our Christmas tunes.

Rating: Medium

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Pat-a-Pan is a very rustic Christmas piece that is set in a round beginning with the first trumpet and pyramiding down to the trombone. The percussive "drone" parts add a distinct colour to this piece and this sort of writing works well with combinations of brass instruments. Even the tuba gets to shine with an unaccompanied pass through the melody. Click here for all of our Christmas tunes.

Rating: Medium

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This is considered one of the most serene Christmas carols of all time. The piece was originally written for two voices and guitar because the church organ had broken down. This arrangement is fairly standard in its treatment of both the melody and harmonies. It is a simple and elegant piece and has been arranged as such. Click here for all of our Christmas tunes.

Rating: Medium

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De Colores, or All the Colours, is a traditional Mexican Folk tune often performed by the famous Mariachi bands. This simple and elegant waltz has been arranged as a horn feature. The trombone adds a harmony voice to the soloist and the two trumpets play their traditional roll in a Mariachi band which is to add colour and fill gaps in the melody.

Rating: Medium

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The two famous hymns Christ the Lord is Risen Today and Jesus Christ Has Risen Today have been arranged as an accompaniment for the original hymn. This can be used to replace an organ or to augment it. There has been a trumpet descant arranged for each hymn that can be played on the final verse.

Rating: Medium

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This is a short original fanfare which is mainly a showpiece for the trumpets, but all voices get some interesting parts. This would be a great way to open a concert or at a special event. The tuba gets some great scalar runs which help to drive the piece.

Rating: Medium

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This is a famous Joplin rag which has been arranged here for brass quintet. The trumpets and trombone alternate melodic sections and even the tuba gets a section of melody. This is a fun up-beat tune to add something different to your next quintet concert.

Rating: Medium

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This piece was written in the thirteenth Century by an unknown composer. It was set as a single melodic line as many Gregorian chants were constructed. Lush, modern harmonies have been added to make it the popular Christmas piece it is today. The trumpet is asked to stand away from the group. This is to emulate the call and response between a soloist and congregation at a church service found in many denominations. The other trumpet player should play a flugel horn to create a fourth "mellow" voice.

Rating: Medium

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God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is a famous and popular Christmas carol. This arrangement is presented in two very different ways. One section is slow and mysterious with a steady tuba ostinato and cup muted trumpets above while the other section is an upbeat swing style with a walking bass line in the tuba with jazz harmonies and backgrounds in the other voices. Both trumpets and the trombone get opportunities with melody in the swing section. Click here for all of our Christmas tunes.

Rating: Medium

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Sweelinck spent his life in the Netherlands as an organist, composer and teacher. One of his greatest achievements was to assemble a four volume collection of polyphonic settings of all 150 psalms. This bright imitative work was originally for five voices and the translation to brass is a natural one.

Rating: Medium

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass instruments. This arrangement for brass quintet is a welcome addition to this repertoire. Antiphonal spacing is always a successful performance practice allowing the passing of melodic material to be enhanced by the spatial distance.

Rating: Medium

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This is another great work for brass quintet and organ. It is melodically simple with a clear structure including a ritornello section in which the organ plays alone. Each member in the group gets at least one section of solo material including some extended passages for tuba. It is a long work (over 300 measures) but none of the parts are very difficult and, with frequent rests, no part is too taxing.

Rating: Medium

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Keefer Quickstep (Keefer being the nickname given to the composer’s son Keith) was written in the style of the many quickstep marches contained in the American Brass Band Journals from the time of the American Civil War era. With its flashy runs and up tempo, up beat persona, it is the perfect complement to any festive occasion and/or celebration.

Rating: Medium

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This is the most famous section from Bach’s Cantata No. 208. It has been arranged here for brass quintet and it makes an ideal piece to be used at special events such as weddings. All parts are interesting and none are too difficult.

Rating: Medium

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To call this madrigal chromatic is a drastic understatement. This piece is very striking in its use of chromaticism. All the typical staggered entrances and polyphonic writing found in most madrigals are contained in this piece. The chromaticism takes this work and creates a sound that we may attribute to a composition in the Twentieth Century rather than one from 1611.

Rating: Medium

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The rousing and well-known Anvil Chorus or Gypsy Chorus from Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Troubadour) depicts Spanish gypsies striking their anvils at dawn and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and their gypsy women. This is a flashy piece and everyone gets a good part.

Rating: Medium

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This famous Irish folk melody is the "Groves of Blarney". It has been performed by many vocal soloists from the United Kingdom and around the world. The solo voice could be played on either trumpet or, more appropriately, cornet. The other trumpet player should play a flugel horn to create a fourth “mellow” voice.

Rating: Medium

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Originally a duet for trumpet and soprano, this beautiful aria from Birthday Ode for Queen Anne has been arranged for brass quintet. The flowing lines of the two trumpets make this piece perfect for weddings or church services.

Rating: Medium

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This is an arrangement for brass quintet and organ with optional timpani. Handel’s oratorio Samson contains several great movements that trumpet players play as solo or ensemble pieces at recitals apart from the complete oratorio. Besides Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound, there is Let Their Celestial Concerts and one of the most popular trumpet and voice duets Let the Bright Seraphim.

Rating: Medium

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This folksong has been arranged in a theme and variations format for a variety of instruments. This is the third Eighth Note Publications arrangement for brass quintet of this popular solo. There is a version for solo trumpet, solo trombone and this arrangement for soloist (either trumpet or trombone) and quintet. The ensemble plays the accompaniment figures as well as the break strains. The solo part is very reasonable and sounds harder than it is!

Rating: Medium

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Originally written for orchestra and a large choir, this powerful work was to be performed in a large church in Venice, perhaps even Saint Mark's Cathedral. One Monteverdi scholar believes that this was written as a kind of "job interview" for a position as a composer in Venice. It has been arranged here for brass quintet and organ.

Rating: Medium

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This is the ultimate tenor aria and has been arranged here for soloist (either trumpet or trombone) and quintet. A solo from the opening, this piece is ideal to show off a guest with the quintet. The original key has been lowered to reduce range extremes and to make this great piece approachable by more ensembles.

Rating: Medium

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This very popular solo was made famous by such vocalists as Kiri Te Kanawa and Kathleen Battle. The elegant and simple melodic line lends itself very well to the versatile sound of the brass quintet.

Rating: Medium

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The principal theme from the second movement is equal in fame and popularity to Pachelbel's Canon and Albinoni's Adagio. This incredibly simple and beautiful theme was set to words by one of Dvorak's pupils William Arms Fisher. The resulting song Goin' Home is now as famous as the original symphonic writing. This incredibly beautiful melody can now be performed by a high school level ensemble. The flugelhorn performs in the principal theme and the first trumpet and trombone have a great duet passage in the middle section. A must on every brass program!

Rating: Medium

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Lyric Essay is written in a neo-romantic style. It is a slow, reflective work with much opportunity for musical expression. This piece (previously written for concert band) has been performed all throughout Canada, the United States and in Japan. It is an ideal lyric composition to be programmed between two louder works on your next concert. There is an optional percussion part provided.

Rating: Medium

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This is easily the most famous and often recorded fugue. The first (and most noticeable) thing with this arrangement is the fact that it is not in the original key of G minor. The key has been altered to allow for performance without the use of E-flat trumpets making this great piece more accessible to players wanting to play it, without the range demands found in arrangements in the original key.

Rating: Medium

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This haunting Christmas piece has been beautifully arranged for brass quintet with the horn and trombone playing much of the melody with the trumpet players performing on flugel horns and the tuba and optional timpani providing the foundation.

Rating: Medium

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Winnipeg at Night was written in February 1961. Bob recalls, "I was sitting at the piano as someone walked out the door and from my seat, I was able to see a beautiful sunset. The melody immediately came to me as my hands hit the keyboard". This is a lush and beautiful ballad and with the trumpeters on flugels and well balanced ensemble playing, this is a sure crowd pleaser.

Rating: Medium

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Intended to evoke a medieval feel, Kyrie combines a plainchant-like melody with more modern harmonies and rhythms. Beginning with a stark statement of the theme, it progresses through a small fugue and other variations, ending with a bold ensemble tutti.

Rating: Medium

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Banditen-Galopp belongs to the several orchestral numbers Johann Strauss, Jr. arranged from his comic operetta entitled Prinz Methusalem. The title is derived from the appearance in the stage work of a bandit gang intent on overthrowing the reigning Prince. Flashy and showy that sounds harder than it is!

Rating: Medium

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The first Gymnopedie, a word coined by Satie himself, is perhaps the composer's most recognizable work. The melancholic nature of the melody lends itself well to the sombre mood of the french horn. Also the option is there to perform with flugel horns in the accompaniment while striving to achieve the "triste" aspect Satie so desired.

Rating: Medium

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Crowned by some as "the champion of the musical miniature", Satie found formality annoying, as is clearly evident in the manuscript for his quaint Gnossiennes. Appearing for the first time are humorous indications to the performer, in lieu of traditional Italian directives. This is another great example of this famous French composer's unique style that lends itself well to the brass quintet.

Rating: Medium

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This is the beautiful slow movement from the famous Trumpet Concerto by Telemann. In this movement the oboes, replaced here by trumpets, play an elegant duet over a simple wandering continuo line. This is a da capo aria in which the D.C. has been written out with some ornaments. This is a great piece that would work well at a church or wedding service as well as on a concert.

Rating: Medium

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This incredibly famous Trumpet Voluntary (often attributed to Henry Purcell) is one of the most often requested wedding pieces of all times. This arrangement, transposed into Bb, for brass quintet and optional timpani will prove to be very useful for ceremonies of all kinds.

Rating: Medium

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The title says it all. This original latin jazz composition is based on an interesting blend of the blues and dorian scales. The middle section changes to a swing feel and features solo sections for second trumpet (playing flugel horn) and trombone. Both solos are written out and have chord changes provided. Everyone will enjoy this fresh chart. There is an optional drum set part provided.

Rating: Medium

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Here is a hot little latin number to spice things up. Start with one part cool tune, mix in some lush harmonies, toss in a unison ensemble part, a written tuba solo and a funky intro and voila, an audience favourite. There is an optional drum set part provided.

Rating: Medium

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Alternating back and forth between 3/4 and 4/4 time, this chart swings no matter what time signature you're in. An exciting shout chorus with a written tuba solo adds to the unique flavour of this Vince Gassi original. There is an optional drum set part provided.

Rating: Medium

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You'll enjoy playing this interesting tune harmonized in parallel 4ths. This groovin' swing chart puts the pedal to the metal and even includes a contrapuntal ensemble section. Also included is a written solo with chords for second trumpet. Don't miss this sizzler!! There is an optional drum set part provided.

Rating: Medium

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Deep River has been arranged here to feature the smooth sound of the flugel horn. This famous melody is supported by an interesting accompaniment with jazz harmonies and rhythmic pulse. Spirituals are ideal at church, on a concert or for use at a competition.

Rating: Medium

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This Suite in D, also known as Mr. Handel's Celebrated Water Piece (and A Choice Sett of Aires) is a five movement piece originally for trumpet and strings. This is a version of this piece arranged in Bb concert. It facilitates performance on Bb trumpet rather than piccolo which makes this popular piece accessible to more quintets. For the original key please order BQ25198.

Rating: Medium

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Henry Purcell was the first English composer to write multiple works for the trumpet. His orchestral writings are filled with interesting trumpet parts but no work is more famous to trumpeters than this Sonata. The manuscript was discovered in 1950 and has been one of the most frequently performed and recorded pieces in the trumpet repertoire. This is a version of this piece arranged in Bb concert. It facilitates performance on Bb trumpet rather than piccolo which makes this popular piece accessible to more quintets. For the original key please order BQ25199.

Rating: Medium

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This is a musical journey following a young family escaping invasion by another nation. Leaving everything behind, they must flee from their beloved homeland to a new place and a new beginning. They encounter danger of being captured by their oppressors as well as enduring the pain of leaving family, friends and all possessions behind. Unsure of the road ahead, the family forges on, confident in their decision to find a better life in far away lands. All they have with them is their culture, courage and hope that this new place will greet them and provide a new home. This music contains simple lines and hollow harmonies and is an ideal contrast on a concert or recital. The use of 2 flugel horns aids in the uniformity of sound within the ensemble.

Rating: Medium

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This is one of the most famous melodies from the Dixieland era. This is a straight ahead swing march with the melody in the trumpets and trombone. Great in any concert!

Rating: Medium

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This beautiful Scottish folk song opens with unaccompanied trombone. The melody then flows through the ensemble including a section of tune for the tuba player. The arrangement climaxes to a full ensemble rendition before it fades away, ending how it began- quietly, almost from a distance.

Rating: Medium

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This was originally a nine movement suite to which eight movements have been selected and arranged here. The movements are short and tuneful with the trumpet and remaining voices passing melodic material between them. The most famous movement is Rondeau - The Prince of Denmark's March which is also known as Trumpet Voluntary. This is a version of this piece arranged in Bb concert. It facilitates performance on Bb trumpet rather than piccolo which makes this popular piece accessible to more quintets. For the original key in D please order BQ25209.

Rating: Medium

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This is a tuba feature top to bottom. The flashy scalar line demonstrates the technical skills of the tuba player.

Rating: Medium

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This piece was originally written for string orchestra and voices as a school song for Unionville Meadows Public School in Markham, Canada. The theme of the school grand opening was the students were "planting seeds" in their new building. The piece is rhythmic and dance-like with all parts getting interesting lines.

Rating: Medium

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This arrangement is a movement from the Cello Sonata in G. It has been set for a trumpet solo with the remainder of the quintet in a supporting role. Flashy sounding scales (in an easy key) make this solo sound harder than it is. This is a perfect feature for one of the trumpeters in the quintet while essentially giving the remainder of the ensemble a break with very light playing and lots of rest.

Rating: Medium

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Here is a jazz waltz students will have a "ball" with. A lilting tune with cool chord changes in the accompaniment gives this piece a carefree, sugarless sound. Optional drum part included.

Rating: Medium

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If you are interested in "Time Travel" this piece is definitely for them. It starts out in 5/4 and moves back and forth through time; 3/4, 4/4, back to 5/4 - it never gets predictable. Angular melodic lines and funky solos for trumpet and tuba round this challenging chart out. Optional percussion parts include conga, cymbal, tambourine, guica and even handclaps. This is a standard on the planet Remulak.

Rating: Medium

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The tuba has the chance at some melody in this arrangement with the other voices accompanying. The trumpets and horn/trombone also have some nice exchanges between them. Cup mutes are used in the trumpets to create a new texture in the quintet.

Rating: Medium

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This beautiful and flowing Christmas carol was written by Pietro Yon. The melody is found mainly between the Horn and Flugel horn with the rest of the ensemble supporting with rhythmic figures. Slight variations are added as each verse is played.

Rating: Medium

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This is a clever set of variations based on the children's song London Bridge. Famous music quotes as well as some surprise key changes and rhythmic feel make this a perfect concert piece for audiences of all ages. All parts contain melody and challenging sections.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This fun light piece is a great showpiece for the cornet. It is named after the sight-seeing boats for tourists in Niagara Falls. Set as a polka, there is much opportunity for the soloist to display quick fingers and light triple tonguing. The horn and trombone (euphonium) take turns playing melody in the break strains.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Under the title L'Estro Armonico Vivaldi wrote a collection of twelve instrumental concertos. Concerto #1 (originally for four violins, strings and continuo) is in three movements. All the trademark Vivaldi musical gestures are present in this concerto such as imitative lines, his use of sequences and the writing of solo versus tutti in repeated sections.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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You'll hit the ground running with this exciting piece. The energy starts right from the "get-go" with a catchy rhythmic theme which is developed and resequenced later on in a koooool modal section. Following a slow section which features many independent entries, the energy is right back to fever pitch with a return to the opening theme. This tune is totally infectious!! Parts for auxiliary percussion and Marimba are included.

Rating: Medium

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This is a great lyrical solo for the tuba. The use of cup mutes in the trumpets and trombone throughout the piece provides a unique colour under the soloist.

Rating: Medium

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All music originally written for the natural trumpet (a trumpet with no valves) has a true "sameness" about it because of the limited notes the instrument could play. Franceschini has used many of the less commonly used notes available to the trumpet's harmonic series and, as a result, has created a more interesting harmonic palette for the instruments involved. This arrangement could feature the trumpet players on natural trumpets or piccolos.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is a flashy trumpet solo that is often heard in concert, recital and competition situations. The brisk tempo combined with bursts of double tonguing have made this a popular technical showpiece with trumpet players all over the world. Originally scored for trumpet and piano, the use of a standard brass quintet rather than piano adds a whole new depth and colour to the sound. Now this work is not only a great trumpet solo but an interesting piece of chamber music.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is a standard piece in solo cornet or trumpet repertoire that is used on countless festivals and competitions. Ropartz was a French composer who studied with César Franck. The terrific contrast between the slow lyrical playing and the bright fanfares makes this piece a great one for demonstrating everything the trumpet can do. The original was scored for cornet and piano and this arrangement for brass allows for a wider range of timbres in the accompaniment.

Rating: Medium

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This is a standard piece in solo trumpet repertoire that is used on countless festivals and competitions. The beautiful opening weaves its way through several key centers leading to the March where fast fingers and light articulations come into play. A great piece to show the capabilities of the cornet (or trumpet). The original was scored for cornet and piano and this arrangement for brass allows for a wider range of timbres in the accompaniment.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This piece requires no introduction to trumpet players. The 3 trumpets form the trio with the remaining member of the quintet cover the orchestra parts. Fun to play and an audience favourite!

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This suite was created from, what was then (1674), an instructional book on the art of Spanish guitar playing. It is a wonderful collection of short pieces in many tempos and styles. The shifting 6/8 and 3/4 feel in several movements is found, to this day, in much of the popular music of Latin America. Nine movements have been selected and arranged here. The sound of the brass quintet is, obviously, nothing like that of the five-string guitar but the Spanish flavour and feel make this something just a little different for brass players.

Rating: Medium

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This is a fun little arrangement of a classic hymn tune. It begins and ends with a legato jazz re-harmonization of the tune. Other settings include another legato verse featuring the trombone, an up-tempo swing version featuring a 2nd trumpet solo, and a Renaissance/early Baroque variation as a change-up. There is an "open" section in the swing version, and both chord changes as well as a written out suggested solo have been provided.

Rating: Medium

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This is a terrific feature for the trombone player in a brass quintet setting. Originally, this piece was for trombone and piano and published in 1958 by Rubank, Inc. It has been played by countless high school trombonists as a tool to develop their slide technique and refine their sound. This Paul Koepke classic, combining lyrical playing and technical passages, is an ideal showpiece for developing students.

Rating: Medium

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We moved to Alaska in 1968, driving up the Alcan Highway (Alaska Hwy.) in a Volkswagen Bus loaded down with everything we owned in this world. At that time the highway was 1,100 miles of unpaved surface which produced a massive dust trail behind us. This adventure has been set to music by Jim Parcel featuring colorful writing and a great jazz feel.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Rondo alla Turca is the well-known final movement from Mozart’s Piano Sonata in A Major K. 331. This has been arranged as a technical showpiece for the tuba. The melody alternates between the soloist and remainder of the ensemble and the technical passages fall nicely under the fingers.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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The Welsh are a very musical people, devoted to choral singing and brass music. Their national feeling and pride expresses itself through melody, be it rhythmically stirring or touchingly romantic. From an extensive collection of Welsh songs Howard Cable has selected seven of the most celebrated and memorable for this work.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Clarke wrote Cousins, a cornet and trombone duet with band accompaniment for himself as the cornet soloist and Leo Zimmerman as the trombone soloist. This arrangement of Cousins for brass quintet features the first trumpet and the trombone. It offers the opportunity to perform Cousins without a concert band or pianist in a variety of settings such as school master classes, recitals and outdoor park concerts.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This tune is a fun piece for brass quintet and optional high hat built upon simple jazz backgrounds gradually layering more and more voices. It is not too difficult and would require a minimum of rehearsal to put together. Groovy Vamp can be performed with or without percussion and a full drum set could also be used rather than just a high hat.

Rating: Medium

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It might seem odd that a Prairie boy, who has yet to visit the Maritimes, would make an arrangement of this particular folk song. But perhaps it is not that odd at all. Farewell to Nova Scotia is a wonderful tune, and it inspired a lot of ideas. This is a clever arrangement that allows all players to play some melody and interesting backgrounds.

Rating: Medium

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Feel the spray in your face and the wind in your hair while you ride the smooth harmonies and gentle rhythms of this easy going original tune. The relaxing groove established by tuba and optional bongos coupled with the undulating rise and fall of the chord changes provides the perfect background for the lilting melodic curves that get passed around the ensemble. This one's a breeze!

Rating: Medium

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Cool is the word in this rhythmically intricate journey through Funkville. Hip grooves and heavy harmonies provide much opportunity to put this one "in the pocket". The detailed drum set part (with written solos and fills) is essential to Funk-a-fying this chart. Only for the brave of heart, this Funk-a-liscious tune is baaaad and that's goooood!!

Rating: Medium

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Charlie Parker meets the Roadrunner in this bebop chart for brass quintet. A typical "Bird-like" head is bantered about the ensemble while the tuba provides a smooth walking bass line. There are written solos for 2nd trumpet and tuba and there is enough bird seed (errrr....ensemble work) to keep everyone busy. Confirmation that Now's The Time to Scrapple From The Apple and get playin' this sizzler. Plug this one in and watch it go. Drum part with written fills included. "Meep, meep".

Rating: Medium

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