Trombone pieces written by composers of color

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Carter1016
Posts: 94
Joined: Apr 03, 2018

by Carter1016 »

Hi all,

Given the current political and social climate in the US, and the fact that this coming fall semester will likely be mostly online and chamber music heavy, I’m looking for pieces for trombone (tenor or bass) solo or include trombone that are written by composers of color. I’m currently in the process of getting some of Florence Price’s works. If anyone hasn’t heard her 3rd Symphony, I would highly recommend a listen. It’s great writing for the low brass, and just a great work to listen to!

Art songs or lied for voice are also fine, as I can just transpose those or read down an octave, etc.

Hopefully I can get a list to fill up a couple of recitals or chamber group programs! I’ve also been thinking about doing a call for scores for either bass trombone or brass quintet, but I’m waiting on that for now

Thanks everyone!
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GabrielRice
Posts: 1496
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by GabrielRice »

Check out George Walker's Trombone Concerto. He was the first African-American composer to win a Pulitzer prize. Passed away at 96 just two years ago.
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WilliamLang
Posts: 636
Joined: Nov 22, 2019

by WilliamLang »

Quinn Mason has a really nice three movement Sonata, a set of trombone quartet Chorales, and some brass quintets.

Anthony Barfield has several works featuring trombone.

There's also the William Grant Still Romance.

We need to do more commissioning as a community, so if you know any comp professors you can ask around for students who could use an opportunity.
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AndrewMeronek
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mar 30, 2018

by AndrewMeronek »

I assume you are referring to pieces of music for "classical" chamber ensembles? There are tons for other ensembles in the jazz world.
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Carter1016
Posts: 94
Joined: Apr 03, 2018

by Carter1016 »

[quote="AndrewMeronek"]I assume you are referring to pieces of music for "classical" chamber ensembles? There are tons for other ensembles in the jazz world.[/quote]

Yeah I should’ve clarified. I’m referring to classical ensembles. Third Stream is also in the mix
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fsgazda
Posts: 219
Joined: Jun 24, 2018

by fsgazda »

The Walker Concerto has been mentioned, as has Anthony Barfield. Adolphous Hailstork wrote a piece for David Jackson titled "John Henry's Big: Man vs Machine". When researching my music by African American composers lecture recital, I found a composer named John Elwood Price who wrote a number of solo and chamber works featuring trombone, but as I had plenty of music I didn't follow up.
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AndrewMeronek
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mar 30, 2018

by AndrewMeronek »

[quote="Carter1016"]Yeah I should’ve clarified. I’m referring to classical ensembles. Third Stream is also in the mix[/quote]

Well, if you end up finding a grant, I know an African American classical composer who would love a commission. :cool:
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mbarbier
Posts: 367
Joined: May 17, 2018

by mbarbier »

here are a few:

George Lewis- Oraculum

Michelle Lou- HoneyDripper

Dai Fujikura- deliquesce

Wilfrido Terrazas torre del norte

Raven Chacon has an open score duo (meant to be played at a distance) that could also have some pretty interesting adaptions as well.
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LeTromboniste
Posts: 1634
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by LeTromboniste »

Samuel Coleridge Taylor wrote some nice art songs and some very good orchestral music.

Also worth looking at Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges' works. He didn't write any music with trombones but some of his arias might be suitable. Might require having it scanned by the library though (BnF).
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fsgazda
Posts: 219
Joined: Jun 24, 2018

by fsgazda »

[quote="LeTromboniste"]Samuel Coleridge Taylor wrote some nice art songs and some very good orchestral music.

Also worth looking at Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges' works. He didn't write any music with trombones but some of his arias might be suitable. Might require having it scanned by the library though (BnF).[/quote]

One of my music history students just wrote a research paper on Boulogne. Pretty interesting stuff (although his sourcing was poor, I found several better sources in a 5 minute google search).
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DJWPE
Posts: 9
Joined: Apr 10, 2018

by DJWPE »

Anthony Barfield. https://www.anthonybarfield.com/

Red Sky for Trombone & Band (also with piano reduction)

Soliloquy for Solo Trombone and Trombone Quartet

Meditations of Sound and Light Trombone & Piano

Heritage Concerto Euphonium and Band

Don Winston