Archive for February, 2012

Trumpet Sheet Music- He Lives (trumpet solo/duet/trio/quartet or three descants- with organ)

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

Instrumentation- Solo/Duet/Trio/Quartet or Melody and three Decants with Organ
Composer- Ackley/arr.Chidester
Length- Depends on number of verses used
Difficulty- ME
Range – Easy
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

I have played a lot of Easter Services and one thing is usually true; most organists don’t know what to do with the brass players unless the arrangement has been written out. Most often we hear this, “I want you to play along on the hymns”. That doesn’t give you much to work on for in order to play along with the hymns, you will have to transpose the top line of the organ part. Although this is expected of trumpet players, it sometimes is a problem with younger players. Then we might be asked to play an obbligato part which will stop most players. Most Easters also include one, two and sometimes three trumpet players who most often have to sit around doing nothing or doubling on the first part.

The days of unorganized confusion in the choir loft are finally over.

This arrangement includes the following possibilities-

1. Transposed hymn melody for trumpet solo.
2. Transposed parts for a trumpet duet/ trio and/or quartet.
3. Transposed melody for one trumpet and choice of three additional descants.

Start collecting these descant arrangements and be a hero to every organist you run into.

Listen to this sample- He Lives

The introduction has all the parts recorded just as the final optional tag ending. The first verse has all four parts playing at the same time and the second verse has onlt the melody and the first descant playing. You can mix an match any combination you want and it will sound good.

View first page of score- First page of score

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Free Trumpet Sheet Music- Sonata #1 by G.P. Telemann (Trumpet Duet)

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Duet
Composer- G.P.Telemann/trans.Chidester
Length- 1:20 (1st Mvt.) all others about 2:00-3:00
Difficulty- M+
Range – Low G to G just above staff
Endurance- M
Finger technique- 3
Counting ability- 2+
Ensemble difficulty- 2+

This is a very usable sonata with four contrasting movements The first movement is recorded and available free of charge below. The second is marked Allegro and is longer with constant runs between the two parts. The third is marked Largo and is a fine contrast to the other fast movements with a slower and more lyric setting.. The last movement is marked Vivace and is the most difficult and also the most entertaining for both the players and the listeners. I transposed the entire Sonata for easier keys as well as range concerns. Feel free to listen and download the 1st movement and if interested, the full Sonata is available below.

Listen to 1st movement here- Sonata #1 1st Movement

Download 1st movement here FREE-
Sonata #1 Dolce – Trumpet 1
Sonata #1 Dolce – Trumpet 2

Purchase all four movements here-

Arrangement: $5.00


Shake It and Break It- Full Dixieland Band

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Instrumentation- Dixieland band (Clar/Tpt/Trb/Dr/Gtr/Bass/Piano)
Composer- Charlie Patton/arr.Chidester
Length- 4:34
Difficulty- D
Range – M
Endurance- M
Finger technique- 3
Counting ability- 2+
Ensemble difficulty- 3

This is #5 in our series of Dixieland Band arrangements and it was also requested….again. If my student band had this in their program back in ‘82, we might have won the Southern Comfort College Dixieland competition! This will take some practicing for it has everything added to it. The trombone has two quotes during the solo which will be recognized by the Dixieland fans and all of the solos are written out along with the chord changes. The piano, guitar and drum parts are only suggestions for most players will want to do their own thing. The horn parts on the other hand should be played for good ensemble playing. The last eight measures feature the three horns and should get a standing ovation. Just before the end, I thought a classical counterpoint section was needed to set up the horn soli section. Every player has a solo so everyone will be a star.

Listen to sample- Shake It and Break It

View first page of score- Shake It and Break It-First Page of score

Arrangement: $20.00


Arrangement Score: $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Egyptian Fantasy- Full Dixieland Band

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Instrumentation- Dixieland band (Clar/Tpt/Trb/Dr/Gtr/Bass/Piano)
Composer- Sidney Bechet/arr.Chidester
Length- 4:27
Difficulty- M
Range – M
Endurance- E
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

This is #4 in our series of Dixieland Band arrangements and it was also requested. This is based on Bob Wilber and his band’s performance at the Ascona Jazz Festival in 1987. To it I added a trombone part, an introduction and have copied most of the clarinet solo from his original video. This is a very fine number for a special affect for the rhythm parts are very different from most Dixieland charts. This will be one of your bands favorite numbers and the trumpet player will enjoy it for it gives him/her time to rest the chops.

Listen to sample- Egyptian Fantasy

View first page of score- Egyptian Fansasy 1st page of score

Arrangement: $20.00


Arrangement Score: $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

I’ve Got A Right To Sing the Blues- Full Dixieland Band

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Instrumentation- Dixieland band (Clar/Tpt/Trb/Dr/Gtr/Bass/Piano)
Composer- Arlen/Koehler/arr.Chidester
Length- 4:11
Difficulty- M
Range – M
Endurance- 1 for band- 2 for solo clarinet
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

This is #3 in our series of Dixieland Band arrangements and it was also requested, again. This arrangement evolved by itself. The idea of a chord on guitar on the opening works great to introduce the solo clarinet. The counter melody between the clarinet and high trombone is effective and the ascending half steps to bring in the trumpet works also. The whole arrangement starts slow and free in style and gradually increases in tempo and busyness in all the parts. I wanted to make a difference between the guitar sound and the piano sound during the clarinets solo for contrast. As with all of these arrangements, the piano, guitar, bass and drums have full parts but are there only for information for most players want to do their own thing any way. Every note has been written for the solo so what you hear on the recording should be what you get from your group.

Listen to sample- I’ve Got A Right To Sing the Blues

View first page of Clarinet part- I’ve Got A Right To Sing the Blues- 1st page of Clarinet

Arrangement: $20.00


Arrangement Score: $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Burnin’ The Iceberg- Full Dixieland Band

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Instrumentation- Dixieland band (Clar/Tpt/Trb/Dr/Gtr/Bass/Piano)
Composer- Jelly Roll Morton/arr.Chidester
Length- 3:31
Difficulty- M
Range – M
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

This is #2 in our series of Dixieland Band arrangements and it was also requested. Each of these arrangements is similar but not copied from the original recordings to keep the authenticity of the original but I have added a few tricks just to keep the audience’s attention. Case in point is the smooth transition from “Burnin’ The Iceberg” to the Tom Jones “Delilah”, “Love Oh Love, Oh Careless Love” and finally “She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain”. That will get you your next return job for features like that will set your band apart from the usual “Oh, we’ll just fake it” bands. Start your collection now for if the interest continues, we might be able to bring Dixieland back.

Listen to sample- Burning the Iceburg

View second page of score- Burnin’ The Iceberg- Page 2 of score

Arrangement: $20.00


Arrangement Score: $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Trumpet Sheet Music- Jesus Christ is Risen Today (trumpet solo/duet/trio/quartet or three descants- with organ)

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Instrumentation- Solo/Duet/Trio/Quartet or Melody and three Decants with Organ
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- Depends on number of verses used
Difficulty- E
Range – Easy
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

I have played a lot of Easter Services and one thing is usually true; most organists don’t know what to do with the brass players unless the arrangement has been written out. Most often we hear this, “I want you to play along on the hymns”. That doesn’t give you much to work on for in order to play along with the hymns, you will have to transpose the top line of the organ part. Although this is expected of trumpet players, it sometimes is a problem with younger players. Then we might be asked to play an obbligato part which will stop most players. Most Easters also include one, two and sometimes three trumpet players who most often have to sit around doing nothing or doubling on the first part.

The days of unorganized confusion in the choir loft are finally over.

This arrangement includes the following possibilities-

1. Transposed hymn melody for trumpet solo.
2. Transposed parts for a trumpet duet/ trio and/or quartet.
3. Transposed melody for one trumpet and choice of three additional descants.

Start collecting these descant arrangements and be a hero to every organist you run into.

Listen to this sample of all four independent parts performed with one of the most popular hymns- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

View first page of score- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today-First page of score

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Trumpet Sheet Music- Crown Him with Many Crowns (trumpet solo/duet/trio/quartet or three descants- with organ)

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Instrumentation- Solo/Duet/Trio/Quartet or Melody and three Decants with Organ
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- Depends on number of verses used
Difficulty- E
Range – M
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

I have played a lot of Easter Services and one thing is usually true; most organists don’t know what to do with the brass players unless the arrangement has been written out. Most often we hear this, “I want you to play along on the hymns”. That doesn’t give you much to work on for in order to play along with the hymns, you will have to transpose the top line of the organ part. Although this is expected of trumpet players, it sometimes is a problem with younger players. Then we might be asked to play an obbligato part which will stop most players. Most Easters also include one, two and sometimes three trumpet players who most often have to sit around doing nothing or doubling on the first part.

The days of unorganized confusion in the choir loft are finally over.

This arrangement includes the following possibilities-

1. Transposed hymn melody for trumpet solo.
2. Transposed parts for a trumpet duet/ trio and/or quartet.
3. Transposed melody for one trumpet and choice of three additional descants.

Start collecting these descant arrangements and be a hero to every organist you run into.

Listen to this sample of all four independent parts performed with one of the most popular hymns- Crown Him With Many Crowns

View first page of trumpet score- Crown Him- First page of Trumpet score

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble