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Trumpet Ensemble

Various combinations of trumpets have been used together for hundreds of years. The compositions of Biber and Altenburg opened up the potential for natural trumpets to play in choirs to form trumpet ensembles. Transcriptions of more modern pieces for trumpet ensemble have been popular among trumpet players and well-received by audiences. This popularity is growing and the demand is ever-increasing. The ensemble size of the majority of pieces in this collection will be for 6 trumpets and a continuo instrument (bassoon, trombone). Most are for B-flat or C trumpet and there have been extra continuo parts written in different keys so that the piece can be played in B-flat, C, D, etc depending on the abilities of the performers.

Originally scored for trumpet, 2 oboes and basso continuo, the sound of this instrumentation remains close to Telemann's original writing. It is suggested that a bassoon play the continuo line (which again is offered in B-flat, C and D) and three trumpets of same or different pitches play the trumpet and oboe parts. An exciting work for solo trumpet, now for trumpet ensemble, the nimble and interesting oboe parts are also given to trumpets. Three equally competent performers are required to execute the 33 top lines as the contrapuntal writing has all parts contributing to the melody line as well as in a supporting role. Either three piccolo trumpets in the key of D or 3 E-flat trumpets in the key of B-flat make this a new found gem in the trumpet ensemble repertoire.

Rating: Medium

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Originally for piano, this Adagio has been elegantly transcribed for a trumpet ensemble consisting of 3 trumpets and 1 continuo (bass clef) instrument. It is scored in the original key of D and features a piccolo trumpet solo. The other parts are quite easy and would require very little rehearsal time to prepare.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This monumental work is a true classic in the Baroque repertoire. Scored here for 3 trumpets and organ (with optional timpani), this set of famous pieces is now portable! There are no cuts or reductions, this is the complete Royal Fireworks. Two scores have been provided, one in the original key of D and one in B-flat for performances using b-flat trumpets. This spectacular addition to music for the trumpet ensemble would make a truly impressive work in a concert or recital. This is also a great way to rehearse with your trumpet section before performing the work with strings.

Rating: Difficult

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This famous piccolo trumpet solo has been recorded by many trumpet soloists. The original work is scored for solo trumpet, 2 oboes and strings. In this arrangement the instrumentation has been altered slightly for 3 trumpets and keyboard. The solo part remains fairly close to the original and the oboe parts have been distributed between the remaining trumpets and the keyboard. Also included in this arrangement is a separate keyboard score in B-flat which means performance on b-flat trumpets is now possible.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This famous piccolo trumpet solo has been recorded by many trumpet soloists. The original work is scored for solo trumpet, 2 oboes and strings. In this arrangement the instrumentation has been altered slightly for 3 trumpets and keyboard. The solo part remains fairly close to the original and the oboe parts have been distributed between the remaining trumpets and the keyboard. Also included in this arrangement is a separate keyboard score in B-flat which means performance on b-flat trumpets is now possible.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This arrangement for 3 trumpets and organ is another very successful addition to the repertoire. This work is not too difficult and can be performed with or without the continuo. Clear and simple Renaissance harmonies make this work for trombone trio a pleasure to listen to and fun to play.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This famous piccolo trumpet solo has been recorded by many trumpet soloists. The original work is scored for solo trumpet, 2 violins and continuo. In this arrangement the instrumentation has been altered slightly for 3 trumpets and keyboard. The solo part is the original trumpet line and the violin parts have been distributed between the remaining trumpets and the keyboard. Also included is a separate keyboard score in B-flat which means performance on B-flat trumpets is now possible.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Several of the favourite and standard trumpet excerpts come from J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio. In this arrangement for 3 trumpets, organ (with optional timpani), there have been four important sections collected in this mini suite. Three of the big chorales and the famous Aria have been extracted from this large-scale work and adapted for trumpets and organ. The original trumpet lines are left fairly intact. There are two organ scores provided - in the original key of D, for performance on piccolo trumpets, and in B-flat, for performance on b-flat trumpets.

Rating: Difficult

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These eight short fanfares, for 3 trumpets, were written as a result of my fascination with historical instruments. They were a type of exercise in composing for the limited medium of natural trumpets, though they lay well on modern instruments. There is a good variety of "affects" from fanfare to fanfare, making their usefulness plentiful. Since they are all short, they come in very handy for award banquets, or any event that could be spruced up by an ornate announcement or two.

Rating: Difficult

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The Huron Indian Carol (also known as The Huron Carol and ’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime) is generally considered the first Canadian Christmas carol. This hauntingly beautiful piece set for 3 trumpets and piano is not too difficult but very effective on a holiday concert.

Click here for all our Christmas music.

Rating: Medium

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