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Trombone Ensemble

As with any instrument in the orchestra, players enjoy working in groups consisting of like instruments. Flute choirs, trumpet ensembles, clarinet choirs, and others are popular both with performers and audiences. The depth of sound in the low register combined with the singing high register makes this a very versatile instrumentation.

Two Trombones THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Various Composers Three Trombones ANCIENT FUGUE Anonymous HURON INDIAN CAROL Traditional THREE BACH CHORALES by J.S. Bach TRIOS FOR TROMBONE - VOLUME 1 Various Composers VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST by H. L. Hassler Four Trombones CANON by J. Pachelbel CHORALES FOR TROMBONES Volume 1 Various Composers THE EASY COLLECTION OF TROMBONE QUARTETS Various Composers HALLELUJAH! from "MESSIAH" by G. F. Handel NORTHWESTERN SKETCHES by B. Perrier QUARTETS FOR FOUR TROMBONES - Vol. 1    Various Composers TENEBRAE FACTAE SUNT by T.L. de Victoria THREE CANZONAS Various Composers THREE PIECES FOR TROMBONE QUARTET by D. Sweete THREE RENAISSANCE MADRIGALS Various Composers TWO MOTETS FOR FOUR TROMBONES    Various Composers

Five Trombones RICERCAR BREVIS by J. P. Sweelinck TWO ITALIAN MADRIGALS    Various Composers Six Trombones AVE SANCTISSIMA MARIA Anonymous Eight Trombones ANDANTE from "SYMPHONY No. 3" by J. Brahms CANZONA a 8 by J. Henschel ECHO SONG by O. di Lasso

Don Sweete has taken 8 3-part Renaissance vocal pieces and arranged them for trombone trio. Ideal for 3 tenor trombones, any piece from this collection can be used for recitals or concerts. The first trombone is quite high (often around high b-flats) and all the parts are interesting. This is Volume 1 of a set of trombone trios to be made available only through Eighth Note Publications.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This arrangement for 3 trombones and organ is another very successful addition to music for trombone choir. 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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The fame and popularity of this piece are widespread. It has been transposed into B-flat concert to facilitate range but none of the melodic lines has been compromised. All the parts are fairly equal in terms of range and technical requirements; no one player is required to play only the repetitive ostinato. With all parts challenging and interesting, this arrangement has already become popular with all the ensembles who have performed it.

Rating: Medium

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Northwestern Sketches was written in the weeks before Benjamin Perrier's 1996 Christmas vacation in Thunder Bay which is located in Northwestern Ontario. His excitement for the upcoming trip greatly contributed to this composition. Northwestern Sketches is scored for trombone quartet, a medium which the composer feels does not receive enough attention. This work uses a combination of hexachords, whole tone scales and a fugue to keep it fresh and exciting.

Rating: Medium

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Ben Perrier has released this popular Christmas piece from his collection of often-performed arrangements. Set in the original key of D Major, this arrangement is challenging but has interesting parts for all. A perfect addition to a concert or recital around the Christmas season, university and professional level trombone quartets will really want to add this tune to their "occasion" list of repertoire.

Rating: Difficult

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This collection is directed at the beginning player and a wide variety of pieces have been arranged with this in mind. Pieces include the main themes from: Aura Lee, Surprise Symphony, 1812 Overture, Battle Hymn of the Republic, O God Our Help in Ages Past, Grant Us to Do, Herr Christ der einig, Canon (Mozart), Now Thank We All Our God, and several others. The concept of these collections is to bridge the gap between the younger players and professionals by providing "stepping stones" in difficulty while introducing players to an enormous cross-section of music.

Rating: Easy

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Don Sweete has brought forth another interesting composition for brass players. His Three Pieces for Trombone Quartet is a difficult work for advanced musicians. The upper trombone part is in a high tessitura for the majority of the work but the melody parts are distributed throughout the ensemble. All parts are kept rhythmically interesting with frequent metre changes with many 7/8 and 5/8 bars. The lyrical second movement is surrounded by two fast articulated movements. The ending is a sure delight by audiences as the first trombone drives to the final high D.

Rating: Difficult

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Following along the similar lines as the Trios for Trombones, Don Sweete has arranged five Renaissance and early Baroque pieces for trombone quartet. The first part is fairly high (often around high Bs) and all parts are interesting to play. This collection is perfect for concerts, recitals or simply getting together with 3 other players and practising quartets.

Rating: Difficult

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Keith Kinder has adapted two Renaissance motets O, My Beloved, Thine Eyes and Sancta Trinitas for trombone quartet. The top part is in tenor clef as the line ascends to high Cs and Ds. The other parts are interesting and the sonority of these quartets is beautiful , particularly in a church setting.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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A great new arrangement of this powerful work is perfect for trombone quintet. Originally for organ, this very chromatic work lends itself well to a choir of trombones. This arrangement is rated difficult because the technical demands and range are fairly substantial. This is a great work for a professional quintet to use in a concert, recital or as a recording project, so watch for more fantastic trombone choir arrangements and compositions from Don Sweete.

Rating: Difficult

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This is a tremendous addition to the trombone ensemble repertoire. Don Sweete has arranged and edited many significant new pieces for various combinations of trombones. These Two Italian Madrigals are excellent challenging material for the university/college level ensemble and would be an exciting ending to a recital or concert.

Rating: Difficult

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Echo Song has been set for 2 choirs of 4 trombones each. As the title would suggest, there is a continuous echo effect throughout the work. An ideal piece for a recital at the university or professional level to display the dynamic control and elegance of sound of the trombone. Antiphonal spacing is an obvious performance choice to aid the imitation between the 2 choirs. This is a work that would be well received by audiences and great fun to play.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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This piece was written by the little known composer Johann Henschel. It is found here in a ground breaking new edition by Don Sweete. Parts have been proofed and edited for errors and the clefs have been modernized for performance today. This is a must on a university or professional trombone choir recital or concert.

Rating: Difficult

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This is a beautiful piece of music that has been elegantly arranged for 8 trombones by Keith Kinder. The concept of two antiphonal trombone quartets is brilliant and the sound of this ensemble is something to behold. The continuous development of the theme that flows throughout this work makes all parts interesting to play. A true tour-de-force for this ensemble!

Rating: Difficult

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The canzona is a form popularized by the great Giovanni Gabrieli. The contributors to the popularity of this form were not limited to this one composer. These three interesting and varied canzonas were composed by Bonelli, Rognone-Taegio and Andrea Gabrieli.

Rating: Difficult

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Victoria, and others in his time period were writing a substantial amount of sacred choral writing. Tenebrae Factae Sunt is a beautiful example of this type of music, arranged here for 4 trombones. None of the parts is too difficult either in range or technical difficulty. This is an excellent choice to develop a singing style and phrasing.

Rating: Medium

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This is a terrific arrangement for 6 trombones that was taken from a choral setting. The expanse and scope of an ensemble of this size is truly shown at its best with this Renaissance piece.

Rating: Medium-Difficult

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Trombonists have always played chorales for the development of fine ensemble performance. The limited technical demands, clear harmonies and independent lines in this style permit players to focus on balance, blend, tuning and matched sound and articulations.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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This work belongs to that large body of early music for which we can identify neither the composer nor the occasion that stimulated its creation. This composition is a carefully worked out double fugue that is enjoyable to play and very effective in performance.

Rating: Medium

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The Silver Swan, My Heart to Thee Now Makes its Plea, and Now is the Month of Maying make up this set of famous madrigals for 4 trombones. There are two slower melodies and one fast one to add variety to this suite. A piece could be played by itself or all three could be played together as a set. These simple vocal pieces are excellent to develop ensemble playing techniques such as balance and intonation. This arrangement is part of an interchangeable set that can combine any number of instruments (flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas).

Rating: Easy-Medium

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The sound of a trombone quartet closely resembles the sound and scope of an all-male choir. As a result it seems only natural for arrangers to look to the choral repertoire to create sets of short chorales as warmups or concert pieces. This collection takes some famous chorales from Luther, Praetorius and others and puts them together to form a practical and useful suite that is approachable by young musicians.

Rating: Easy-Medium

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It seems only natural for arrangers to look to the choral repertoire to create sets of short chorales as warm ups or concert pieces. This collection takes some famous chorales from Luther, Praetorius and others and puts them together to form a practical and useful suite that is approachable by young musicians. This arrangement is part of an interchangeable set for 4 instruments that can combine any number of instruments (flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas).

Rating: Easy-Medium

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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 trombones 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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This is a collection of fresh, new arrangements of well-loved Christmas music set for 2 trombones and piano. A number of styles and moods are represented in these eight pieces. They are suitable for a variety of performance situations such as school concerts, at church or on Christmas gigs in a community. Pieces included are Joy to the World, I Saw Three Ships, Silent Night, We Three Kings, Pat-a-Pan, Gesu Bambino, O Come, O Come Emanuel and Ye Merry Gents.

Click here for all our Christmas music.

Rating: Medium

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Rating: Easy-Medium

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