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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.

The most often performed Christmas piece is now scored for 6 B-flat trumpets. The key has been altered to B-flat concert and is playable by a high school level trumpet ensemble. A great closer to a Christmas concert at a school or church, this will require little rehearsal time and sound terrific! None of the original string lines has been compromised and the key facilitates the high pitches. Everyone has a chance to play some of the melody so all parts are interesting and fun to play!

Rating: Medium

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A very flexible arrangement allows this trumpet standard to be played in several different keys. Arranged for trumpet sextet and a continuo instrument (bassoon or euphonium are suggested), this piece can be performed in B-flat, C or D. This accommodates the level of the performers and the pitch of trumpet selected to allow for this to be played at any occasion.
In three short movements, the work can be altered to allow for timing at a concert. Set in two choirs of three trumpets each, antiphonal spacing is a very effective performance technique. All parts are interesting and none is difficult.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass instruments, but there are very few arrangements for trumpet ensemble. Editorial markings have been added to this particular canzon to add dynamic variances as well as articulations for clarity of performance. It breathes fresh new life into these standard pieces in the brass ensemble repertoire. Like most trumpet ensemble arrangements in this catalogue, the ensemble consists of 6 trumpets and one bass clef continuo instrument. Also included are continuo parts in both B-flat and C to allow for the choice of key for performance.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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One of Handel's most often performed works is now available in this new trumpet ensemble setting. There are continuo parts in B-flat, C and D to allow for performance on piccolo trumpets, B-flat trumpets or anything in between. Just 3 movements have been taken from the original to form this suite and each has been set antiphonally in 3 choirs of 2 trumpets each to allow for echo effects. Technique is not demanding so musicality and ornamentation can be brought forward. A great piece for developing trumpet players and professionals alike and sure to please audiences everywhere.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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At the birth of Prince Henry of Britain, Jeff Smallman prepared a copy of this piece which was presented to, and accepted by, the Prince and Princess of Wales as a gift for their son's birth. Written as a typical trumpet fanfare for 6 trumpets, it works well with one player per part of may also be performed with multiple players per part, creating a fuller sound.

Rating: Difficult

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Canzoni were pieces composed for various combinations of instruments and various sizes of ensembles. This particular work was originally for four oboes and four bassoons. It has been adapted for 6 trumpets and this new instrumentation allows for further performances of this piece. Antiphonal spacing is always a successful performance practice allowing 3 pairs of trumpets to imitate and pass melodic material between them.

Rating: Medium

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J.S. Bach's Wachet Auf has been arranged almost as many times as Pachelbel's Canon. What makes this version different is that the melody appears in all voices rather than the standard solo with accompaniment. It has been scored for 4 trumpets and 2 flugelhorns and none of the parts is unreasonably taxing.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This arrangement for 6 trumpets was taken from a collection of short pieces for five voices. It was written in the early 1600s for Christmas time but is well suited for performances at any time of year. A call and response between a soloist and the rest of the ensemble adds to the interest of this work.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This original composition adapted for trumpet sextet is the composer¹s way of paying homage to some of his favourite compositions and composers such as John Cheetham, John Barnes Chance and the great Alfred Reed. Short musical quotations and suggestive melodic or rhythmic passages are included in the framework of this piece.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass instruments. This arrangement for 6 trumpets 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, the first fugue from the famous Art of the Fugue, has been arranged here for 5 trumpets and a bass clef instrument (bass trumpet or baritone) The fugue, with its contrapuntal lines, works well for a like-instrument ensemble such as a trumpet ensemble.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This famous folksong was brilliantly arranged as a concert band showpiece and has been adapted here for trumpet 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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The National Anthem of Canada is performed in schools, sporting events, and many other places. This arrangement is a modern fanfare version for 5 trumpets. It is very flashy with contemporary chords and driving rhythms.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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There have been many recordings of the famous Gabrieli canzoni for various combinations of brass and woodwind instruments. Several of these canzons have been arranged for a like-instrument ensemble. Specific instrumentation has been listed below. Antiphonal spacing is always a successful performance practice allowing the passing of melodic material to be enhanced by the spatial distance. These pieces are a welcome addition to this repertoire.

Rating: Medium

CANZON PER SONARE #1 - La Spiritata Catalogue Number: TE2379 Instrumentation: 6 trumpets




CANZON PER SONARE #2 Catalogue Number: TE9936 Instrumentation: 6 trumpets.




CANZON PER SONARE #4 Catalogue Number: TE9946 Instrumentation: 6 trumpets.




CANZON VI Catalogue Number: TE2390 Instrumentation: 6 trumpets.


CANZON VI
Catalogue Number: TE963
Instrumentation: 6 trumpets and a bass trumpet.

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Holiday Fanfare was commissioned by the University of Tennessee Trumpet Ensemble, Cathy Leach, Director. Holiday Fanfare for 6 trumpets combines fragments and figures from several holiday songs, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Angels We Have Heard on High (with a mariachi feel!) and Away in a Manger.

Rating: Difficult

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This very popular piece has been arranged many times for various instruments. This version for 2 trumpets and 4 flugel horns alternates between the chorale theme and the wandering counter-melody that has made this piece so famous. All parts get a chance at both the counter-melody and the chorale.

Rating: Medium

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This famous and exciting piece would make a great opening to a concert. The technical parts flow very nicely and sound more difficult than they are! Scored here for 4 trumpets and 2 flugel horns, this edition is sure to come in handy for various events.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is a Scott Joplin rag which has been arranged for 3 trumpets and 3 flugel horns. The various parts alternate playing the famous melodic lines and playing the idiomatic rag accompaniment. There have been some newly composed, stylistically accurate counter melodies inserted to add interest and excitement.

Rating: Medium

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This tune is a fun piece for 6 trumpets 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 (you will need a decent lead player on the top line). It is suggested by the composer to have Trumpet 6 perform on flugel horn. This would add a different colour to the bass line. 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-Difficult

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This is a new edition of one of the most popular pieces for 2 trumpets. Arranged here for 6 trumpets, this standard of the repertoire makes a great concert or occasion piece and can now be performed in an all-trumpet version. The original solo parts are intact and the string parts have been distributed amongst the other trumpets. The original key of the work is C major but, with transposing, this version can be played in B-flat, C or even D.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is the most famous section from Delibes’ Lakmé. Originally written as a duet for soprano and alto, it is now a great piece for 6 trumpets.The original duet is performed on trumpets, the next 2 voices perform on cup muted trumpets and the last 2 parts are performed on flugel horns. This creates 3 sets of duets which introduces some very interesting colours to the trumpet ensemble. The flowing duet lines and graceful and elegant phrases make this an great addition to the repertoire.

Rating: Medium

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This incredibly famous Trumpet Voluntary (often attributed to Henry Purcell) is one of the most popular trumpet pieces of all times. This arrangement for 6 trumpets and optional timpani will prove to be very useful for trumpet players of all levels since it can be performed on either B-flat trumpets or on piccolos.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This is a solo for flugel horn. The use of cup mutes throughout the piece provides a unique colour under the soloist. Pairs of players alternate playing their duet of arpeggios. This arrangement is for 6 trumpets (flugel + 5).

Rating: Easy-Medium

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The Arts Council Fanfare was commissioned by the Provo Arts Council in Provo, Utah. This piece works extremely well as an opening crowd grabber. The premier performance was on one piccolo and five fanfare (or herald) trumpets with fancy banners to open a pop concert. Unforgettable!

Rating: Difficult

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This is an arrangement for 4 trumpets, 2 flugel horns and timpani. This would make a great opener on a CD or concert. Originally for 2 trumpets and strings, the addition of extra trumpets and organ really create a terrific sound. There have been alternate flugel horn parts provided for performance in either Bb or the original key of D.

Rating: Medium

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These 10 short fanfares are composed for 6 trumpets. Each fanfare is very effective for a wide variety of occasions, including a somewhat sinister fanfare No. 9. All of the others sound typically heroic, though they all are quite different from each other, varying in length between 7 and 21 seconds.

Rating: Difficult

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God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is a famous and popular Christmas carol. This arrangement, for 6 trumpets, is presented in two very different ways. One section is slow and mysterious with a steady ostinato and cup muted trumpets above while the other section is an upbeat swing style with a walking bass line in the lowest part with jazz harmonies and backgrounds in the other voices. Several player get opportunities with melody in the swing section.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This is certainly one of the most beloved pieces of holiday music throughout the world. This arrangement, for 6 trumpets, is fairly standard in its opening and proceeds through the verse and chorus with the players pairing up in duets. The upper parts play fanfare passages against the melody in the mid voices.

Rating: Medium

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This piece is a standard in the repertoire for brass quintet thanks to an arrangement by Robert King. After Robert King published his arrangement it was thought that it may have been written by Daniel Speer. Regardless of who wrote it, the great antiphonal writing suits 6 trumpets (2 choirs of 3 trumpets each). It has been transposed up from the original so an optional Eb trumpet part has been provided for Trumpet 1.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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As the title suggests, this piece is Spanish in style. After opening with a short fanfare, the melody is then passed equally between the two lead trumpets with the lower voices adding rhythmic chords and countermelodies. Fun and energetic, this is a great piece to add some international colour to a concert or special event. For 6 trumpets.

Rating: Medium

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