Any ideas for ensemble with 5 or 6 trombones

M
MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

Hi all,

together with some friends I am organizing a trombone ensemble concert in October.

We are still looking for further music for 5 or 6 trombones.

To be more exact, it would be great to get your ideas on:

- A 5/6 trombones arrangement that goes in the same direction as the 5 trombone "Fly Me To The Moon" (which we have already put on the program)

- A great 5/6 trombones Bruckner (not the Crespo/Bruckner Etude!)

What are your favorites?
M
MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

Any ideas or suggestions?
B
BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

We did some stuff with 6 trombones using trios with 2 to a part. One of the guys did some arrangements for us. If I can find all the info I'll pass it along -- it's been a few years.

I also had some pieces for 6 trombones and rhythm by (I think) Larry McVey. Never had that particular ensemble nor did I have players who did good popular/jazz so they have been sitting in a drawer for quite a while.
L
LeTromboniste
Posts: 1634
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by LeTromboniste »

Off the top of my head, I think there's only one Bruckner for just 5 voices and none for 6, it's Tantum ergo, scored SSATB, so you'd need to transpose it down (down a fifth would work well, with alto, 3 tenors, bass trombones). Most of the Bruckner choral pieces have 4 voices, and those that have more are often a mix of soloists, choir and instrument. There are some for 4 voices and 3 trombones, but they aren't particularly effective with just trombones, as having trombones play the voice parts kind of defeats the purpose of the original trombone parts (which are independent but when they play, most often follow the voices in unison).
M
MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

Hi Bruce and Maximilien,

thanks for your inputs!

I just found these two Bruckner arrangements:

- Um Mitternacht https://cherryclassics.com/products/2795

- Christus Factus Est https://cherryclassics.com/products/2479

They look interesting, I will discuss with the ensemble if we will try them...

Any more ideas of course welcome!
C
CalgaryTbone
Posts: 1460
Joined: May 10, 2018

by CalgaryTbone »

Check Hickeys.com - they have music grouped by number of players, and I believe there's a separate category for trombone groups with rhythm section.

Jim Scott
C
cmcslide
Posts: 130
Joined: Apr 01, 2018

by cmcslide »

Mike Barone, the great trombonist/arranger/bandleader on the west coast, gives away some of his older charts for free on his web site, including some for 4, 5 or six trombones and rhythm. Worth checking out, especially for the price!

https://mikebaronemusic.com/free-charts
M
Matt_K
Posts: 4809
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

Capitol Bones stuff was always our go-to at the schools I went to. This was obviously due in part to going to school where Matt Niess taught when I was working on an MM. I think he sells the 5/6 bone arrangements if you contact him. I don't believe they're listed anywhere but they're all really good arrangements.
B
boneapart
Posts: 85
Joined: Aug 13, 2018

by boneapart »

Wild idea. Would you have any interest in this laid-back arrangement of "On a Clear Day" by Bob Florence for six saxes and rhythm? Obviously the piece would need to be transposed for trombones. The brief sax soli can be simplified if necessary.

<YOUTUBE id="hWSzKh96n7s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWSzKh96n7s</YOUTUBE>

Starts at 3:15.
M
MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

Thanks for all the great ideas!

Lots of good stuff included.

We have aligned the final program yesterday and decided to settle on a little more "traditional" stuff, partly as we are playing in a church...

If you are interested, this is our current selection:

- Strauss - Zarathustra fanfare (opener)

- Crespo - Bruckner Etude

- Andresen - 1 and 3 out of three swedish tunes

- Wagner - Elas's procession to the cathedral

- Traditional/Bohannon - Shenandoah

- Mckenzie (arr.) - Ain't Misbehaving

- Howard/Hughes - Fly me to the moon

- Wagner - Tannhäuser overture extract (encore 1)

- Traditional - Auld Lang Syne (encore 2)

In addition there will be 2-3 organ pieces to give us a little room for relaxation.

Really looking forward to this concert!
B
BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

Good luck, Markus. Sounds great.