Archive for the ‘Contest/Recital Material’ Category

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

Cake Walking Babies from Home- Full Dixieland Band

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Instrumentation- Dixieland band (Clar/Tpt/Trb/Dr/Gtr/Bass/Piano)
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 4:10
Difficulty- M
Range – Easy
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

….another request. Keep them coming for I’ll never get stuck in a rut!

The tempo is more in line with a true Cakewalk and has the old Southern dignity required to pull it off. Each of the horns has a solo (written out) and each member has a vamp section where he or she is introduced. This arrangement will work for any good Dixieland band and can be used as an opener or a feature number in the middle of a program. I even added a “One More Time” shout at the end and have indicated where to restart the last run through. Everything needed to bring down the house is in this arrangement. The trombone smears are also indicated.

Everything is indicated in each part with complete Piano, Guitar, Bass and drum parts included.

Most groups will only require the instrumental parts but if you are working with a student group and require a complete score, I have made that available for an additional $5.00.

It’s time to bring back Dixieland!

Listen to sample- Cake Walkin’ Babies From Home

View first page of Trumpet part- First page of trumpet part

Arrangement: $20.00


Arrangement Score: $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- Handel/trans.Chidester
Length- 5:30
Difficulty- M
Range – Low F# to A (just above staff)
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

When you transcribe from the best composers, the work may be time intensive but the products are wonderful. Few composers can handle (cute) counterpoint as well as old GF! Even though the piece is longer than most (about two minutes longer) the parts move back and forth to give the players breaks. Each player has beautiful melodies throughout. This is one of the best five arrangements I have done this year and hope you enjoy it.

Listen to sample- I Know That My Redeemer Liveth-short

View first page of score- I Know That My Redeamer Liveth

Priced at only $20.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

The New Lord’s Prayer

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 4:30
Difficulty- D
Range – Low G to high C
Endurance- 3
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 3

We have an arrangement of this tune in our book that we did a couple of years ago and I thought it was time for a different style for next year. This is not for your average Jr. or even High School ensemble. I did record this one step higher than written so the range is not as high as it sounds. The unusual harmonization will catch the more traditional concert goers by surprise and the rolling triplets tend to give it a more updated feel.
Listen to sample-

Listed- The New Lords Prayer

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Allegro from Balleto Quarto (Op.1) for Trumpet Quintet

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quintet
Composer- Gabrieli/arr.Chidester
Length- 1:50
Difficulty- D
Range – Low F# to high C
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 3
Counting ability- 3
Ensemble difficulty- 3

This started out as a woodwind trio and by adding two more players and moving the parts around, it worked very well for a trumpet quintet. Each part has ample time to rest and it has a much fuller sound than just a trio.

Listen to sample- Allegro from Balleto Quarto (Op.1)

View first page of score- Allegro from Balleto Quarto (Op.1)

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- Dykes/arr.Chidester
Length- 3:03
Difficulty- M
Range – Low G to G just above staff
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2+
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

Great piece. Good arrangement. Easy and interesting to play. That’s it.

Listen to sample- Eternal Father, Strong to Save

View first page of score- Eternal Fater, Strong to Save- first page of score only

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble