Any ideas for ensemble with 5 or 6 trombones

[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?

[MStarke]

Any ideas or suggestions?

[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.

[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).

[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!

[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

[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

[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.

[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.


Starts at 3:15.

[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!

[BGuttman]

Good luck, Markus. Sounds great.