Music for larger bone groups (8-12)
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
Just wondering if anyone has a quick list of good pieces for larger bone groups. I've got a choir that runs 12-16 fairly solid players. Ewazen's Posaunenstadt has been fun.
Edit: what are the 3 or 4 most-enjoyable pieces you've ever played in a larger trombone ensemble?
Bonus points for pieces with at least 8 independent parts.
Edit: what are the 3 or 4 most-enjoyable pieces you've ever played in a larger trombone ensemble?
Bonus points for pieces with at least 8 independent parts.
- Bach5G
- Posts: 2874
- Joined: Apr 07, 2018
Cherry Classics publishes music for large groups of trombones. Contact Gordon Cherry.
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
I swear, anything and everything by Jeff Reynolds. Really good stuff, every bit of it. You can find a bunch of his stuff at Cherry Classics, too.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://cherryclassics.com/collections/ ... q=Reynolds">https://cherryclassics.com/collections/vendors?q=Reynolds</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="https://cherryclassics.com/collections/ ... q=Reynolds">https://cherryclassics.com/collections/vendors?q=Reynolds</LINK_TEXT>
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
Iagree, Cherry Classics is a great place to start. Also probably some good pieces at Warwick music. Also Ensemble Publications, and of course the old Robert King editions. All of these will have dozens of pieces.
A few more specific suggestions:
The earliest existing piece specifically for such an ensemble is Tiburtio Massaino's Canzon trigesimaterza a 8 in 1608. It's available on IMSLP. Any vocal music of that time period written for 8 parts "a voce pari" should in principle work very well. I would to a "multi-category search" on CPDL specifying baroque and Renaissance, and with various 8-voice voicings that sont involve any sopranos.
There's a really good arrangement of the ending of Wagner's Walküre (Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music) for solo bass trombone and 10-part trombone choir (so, 11 trombones altogether) that is really fun to play. Can eventually involve a tuba and bass trumpet for different sound colours that evoke the original. Particularly great if there's a very good bass singer you want to play with (in that case, singer singing the original vocal part, plus 10 trombones).
Years ago I made an arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod for 10-part trombone choir for my university's trombone studio, that from what I can remember was pretty decent:[url]<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/ni ... 41380.html">https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/nimrod-for-trombone-choir-141380.html</LINK_TEXT>
A few more specific suggestions:
The earliest existing piece specifically for such an ensemble is Tiburtio Massaino's Canzon trigesimaterza a 8 in 1608. It's available on IMSLP. Any vocal music of that time period written for 8 parts "a voce pari" should in principle work very well. I would to a "multi-category search" on CPDL specifying baroque and Renaissance, and with various 8-voice voicings that sont involve any sopranos.
There's a really good arrangement of the ending of Wagner's Walküre (Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music) for solo bass trombone and 10-part trombone choir (so, 11 trombones altogether) that is really fun to play. Can eventually involve a tuba and bass trumpet for different sound colours that evoke the original. Particularly great if there's a very good bass singer you want to play with (in that case, singer singing the original vocal part, plus 10 trombones).
Years ago I made an arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod for 10-part trombone choir for my university's trombone studio, that from what I can remember was pretty decent:
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
[quote="LeTromboniste"]Years ago I made an arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod for 10-part trombone choir for my university's trombone studio, that from what I can remember was pretty decent: [url]<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/ni ... 41380.html">https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/nimrod-for-trombone-choir-141380.html</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
And if 10 parts is not what you're looking for, Jeff Reynolds has Nimrod for 8 and 12 trombones.
And if 10 parts is not what you're looking for, Jeff Reynolds has Nimrod for 8 and 12 trombones.
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
Thanks for the responses so far, I appreciate the historic reference, and the Wagner sounds like a good fit.
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
[quote="TomInME"]Thanks for the responses so far, I appreciate the historic reference, and the Wagner sounds like a good fit.[/quote]
The arrangement is by Devon Hope Sweedy
The arrangement is by Devon Hope Sweedy
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
Check out Hickey's website - the multiple trombone arrangements are grouped by the number of players.
Jim Scott
Jim Scott
- TheConnArtist70H
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Nov 10, 2024
I noticed this post and remembered I'd put a link in the Compositions section.
You should find something in here :good:
https://mikebaronemusic.com/mike-barone
Have fun...... :biggrin:
Al
You should find something in here :good:
https://mikebaronemusic.com/mike-barone
Have fun...... :biggrin:
Al
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
I've done a few of Randy Malmstrom's arrangements of orchestral music for trombone ensemble, usually 8 parts. They're now available on Cherry Classics. Fun stuff!
- marccromme
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Mar 30, 2018
Enrico Crespo Etude Im Stil Bruckners für das tiefe Blech
4 trombones, 2 bass trombones, lowest part nice on contrabass.
One of my favorites. ... <YOUTUBE id="JlQRFH9ip34">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQRFH9ip34</YOUTUBE>
4 trombones, 2 bass trombones, lowest part nice on contrabass.
One of my favorites. ... <YOUTUBE id="JlQRFH9ip34">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQRFH9ip34</YOUTUBE>
- Wilktone
- Posts: 720
- Joined: Mar 27, 2018
Does your group have someone who can cover an alto trombone part and a couple of bass trombones?
I wrote this piece a while back for a friend's school trombone choir, but I don't think they every performed it. There was a pretty good trombone choir here in this area that I used to play with that was going to take a look at this, but we never got around to it before the group stopped getting together.
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Golden-Triangle-Overture-1.mp3]Audio Demo
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Golden-Triangle-Overture.pdf]PDF of score and parts
Do you have a couple of players who can improvise? I wrote this for the area trombone choir and we did perform it a few times and did a recording of it that I don't think I ever heard.
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Palmettos-Blues.mp3]Audio Demo
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Palmettos-Blues-Score-and-Parts.pdf]PDF of score and parts
Please forgive the demos a touch. I don't own a bass trombone or alto trombone and so I played all the parts on tenor. Cheap mic, too.
I'll leave those up for a bit to give folks a chance to grab them.
Dave
I wrote this piece a while back for a friend's school trombone choir, but I don't think they every performed it. There was a pretty good trombone choir here in this area that I used to play with that was going to take a look at this, but we never got around to it before the group stopped getting together.
Do you have a couple of players who can improvise? I wrote this for the area trombone choir and we did perform it a few times and did a recording of it that I don't think I ever heard.
Please forgive the demos a touch. I don't own a bass trombone or alto trombone and so I played all the parts on tenor. Cheap mic, too.
I'll leave those up for a bit to give folks a chance to grab them.
Dave
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
[quote="Wilktone"]Does your group have someone who can cover an alto trombone part and a couple of bass trombones?
I wrote this piece a while back for a friend's school trombone choir, but I don't think they every performed it. There was a pretty good trombone choir here in this area that I used to play with that was going to take a look at this, but we never got around to it before the group stopped getting together.
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Golden-Triangle-Overture-1.mp3]Audio Demo
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Golden-Triangle-Overture.pdf]PDF of score and parts
Do you have a couple of players who can improvise? I wrote this for the area trombone choir and we did perform it a few times and did a recording of it that I don't think I ever heard.
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Palmettos-Blues.mp3]Audio Demo
[url=https://wilktone.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Palmettos-Blues-Score-and-Parts.pdf]PDF of score and parts
Please forgive the demos a touch. I don't own a bass trombone or alto trombone and so I played all the parts on tenor. Cheap mic, too.
I'll leave those up for a bit to give folks a chance to grab them.
Dave[/quote]
Thanks! We have 1-2 improvisers, and 4 bass bones and a couple alto-capable tenor players, so we'll give these a go in the near future.
I wrote this piece a while back for a friend's school trombone choir, but I don't think they every performed it. There was a pretty good trombone choir here in this area that I used to play with that was going to take a look at this, but we never got around to it before the group stopped getting together.
Do you have a couple of players who can improvise? I wrote this for the area trombone choir and we did perform it a few times and did a recording of it that I don't think I ever heard.
Please forgive the demos a touch. I don't own a bass trombone or alto trombone and so I played all the parts on tenor. Cheap mic, too.
I'll leave those up for a bit to give folks a chance to grab them.
Dave[/quote]
Thanks! We have 1-2 improvisers, and 4 bass bones and a couple alto-capable tenor players, so we'll give these a go in the near future.
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
[quote="GabrielRice"]I've done a few of Randy Malmstrom's arrangements of orchestral music for trombone ensemble, usually 8 parts. They're now available on Cherry Classics. Fun stuff![/quote]
Thanks! We have a couple other Cherry Classics but a little more Bruckner wouldn't hurt. :)
Thanks! We have a couple other Cherry Classics but a little more Bruckner wouldn't hurt. :)
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
[quote="marccromme"]Enrico Crespo Etude Im Stil Bruckners für das tiefe Blech
4 trombones, 2 bass trombones, lowest part nice on contrabass.
One of my favorites. ... <YOUTUBE id="JlQRFH9ip34">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQRFH9ip34</YOUTUBE>[/quote]
That's pretty juicy. :twisted:
4 trombones, 2 bass trombones, lowest part nice on contrabass.
One of my favorites. ... <YOUTUBE id="JlQRFH9ip34">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQRFH9ip34</YOUTUBE>[/quote]
That's pretty juicy. :twisted:
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
Just to clarify - the Bruckner Etude is actually a piece by Enrico Crespo written in the style of Bruckner. It's a beautiful piece, and he captures Bruckner's style and harmonic sense perfectly.
Jim Scott
Jim Scott
- tmarco97
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Jul 16, 2019
Some pieces I’ve really enjoyed in trombone choir!
Octet:
The Hex Files - James Kazik
La Reconquista - Andrew Markel
Pearl of the Orient - Steven Verhelst
Actually read through Passacaglia by Allen Chase for the first time yesterday and this one was pretty interesting even though it is a little older now! This piece has ten parts.
Octet:
The Hex Files - James Kazik
La Reconquista - Andrew Markel
Pearl of the Orient - Steven Verhelst
Actually read through Passacaglia by Allen Chase for the first time yesterday and this one was pretty interesting even though it is a little older now! This piece has ten parts.
- Wilktone
- Posts: 720
- Joined: Mar 27, 2018
[quote="TomInME"]Thanks! We have 1-2 improvisers, and 4 bass bones and a couple alto-capable tenor players, so we'll give these a go in the near future.[/quote]
You're welcome. I've pulled those PDF files off my server now, so those links will be broken. If anyone has a group that might be interested in performing it feel free to send me a DM or email.
Dave
You're welcome. I've pulled those PDF files off my server now, so those links will be broken. If anyone has a group that might be interested in performing it feel free to send me a DM or email.
Dave
- Bonearzt
- Posts: 833
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
[quote="GabrielRice"]I've done a few of Randy Malmstrom's arrangements of orchestral music for trombone ensemble, usually 8 parts. They're now available on Cherry Classics. Fun stuff![/quote]
Rest in Trombone Peace Randy!!!!
Rest in Trombone Peace Randy!!!!
- Bonearzt
- Posts: 833
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
Jon Bohls, an incredible teacher here in the north D/FW area has some FANTASTIC arrangements for large ensembles!!!
- Esiotrot101
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Nov 09, 2021
There's a really good arrangement out there of the first movement of Dvorak Six for 12 part trombone choir.
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
[quote="tmarco97"]Some pieces I’ve really enjoyed in trombone choir!
Octet:
The Hex Files - James Kazik
La Reconquista - Andrew Markel
Pearl of the Orient - Steven Verhelst
Actually read through Passacaglia by Allen Chase for the first time yesterday and this one was pretty interesting even though it is a little older now! This piece has ten parts.[/quote]
Thanks! I'll definitely check those out - Verhelst's stuff has been a reasonably good blend of accessible and challenging, and listenable.
Octet:
The Hex Files - James Kazik
La Reconquista - Andrew Markel
Pearl of the Orient - Steven Verhelst
Actually read through Passacaglia by Allen Chase for the first time yesterday and this one was pretty interesting even though it is a little older now! This piece has ten parts.[/quote]
Thanks! I'll definitely check those out - Verhelst's stuff has been a reasonably good blend of accessible and challenging, and listenable.