Archive for the ‘Jazz’ Category

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

Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quintet with Rhythm (Guitar, Bass, Drums)
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 4:16
Difficulty- M
Range – Low F# to high C# (optional ?)
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 3

This is another request from a new friend who wanted this done. I didn’t know the piece but after listening to it for a few days, I decided to see just where it wanted to go. The choral section in the middle makes a good contrast to the other sections and showcases the horns alone. The solo is written out and all of the high notes have optional notes. The counter melody at the end came to me one day and I think it is the best part of the chart. The interaction of the trumpets, bass and guitar is a wonderful combination. I keep playing this around my house all day long.

Listen to sample- Fantasy- horns and rhythm

View first page of Trumpet 1- Fantasy- Trumpet 1

Priced at only $20.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Theme from the Simpsons- Trumpet Choir

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Choir (4 trumpets, 3 cornet., 4 flugel horns)
Composer- trans.Chidester
Length- 2:23
Difficulty- VD
Range – Low F# to high C#
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 3+
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 3

By request! This is not what I usually arrange but a good friend wanted to know if I could do it…… I do love a challenge. I decided on a trumpet section, a cornet section and a flugel horn section to utilize the distinct timbre of the different instruments and staging them as I did on the recording works well: flugels in front and trumpets and cornets on each side facing each other. Each player has a solo and those with the sixteenth notes had better practice their parts for I DID NOT RECORD THIS ONE ON THE FIRST TAKE. The fingering is tough and the tempo, even though it is slower (mm 120) than the original (mm 174!) it will be challenging to even the better college groups. Do not expect to sight read this one on the stand. Half of the transcription was taken from a Midi file and the other half was written to match the original. The MP3 example has been shortened for the post. If you want to download the first page of the 1st trumpet part, it makes great material to practice your fast modal scales.

Listen to sample- Final mix

View first page of Trumpet 1- Theme From Simpsons- Trumpet 1

Priced at only $20.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

My Cup Runneth Over / Jean

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 3:39
Difficulty- M
Range – Low F# to B (just above staff)
Endurance- 2
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 2

I have a wonderful Mother-In-Law and her name is Jean so I thought I would do this for her. Also, last Saturday I played with a small group and I was impressed with the way the keyboard player played it so that’s another reason to do it. It starts with “My Cup Runneth Over” and the “Jean” section takes over. At the third quarter of the piece, the two are played at the same time. You may choose to play it faster but I thought it would give the resolutional chords more time to resolve at this tempo. Let me know which way you think it should be played. I’d be interested to know others opinions.

Listen to sample- My Cup Runneth Over & Jean

View first page of score- My Cup-Jean- first page of score

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble

Free Trumpet Sheet Music- Sesame Street

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Trio
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 1:53
Difficulty- VE
Range – Low G to Eb (top space)
Endurance- 1
Finger technique- 1
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 1+

Great fun for everyone! The younger players will find this one interesting and fun for the parts are as simple as I can write. Any fingering or notes that might be a problem have alternate notes included for easier playing. Trumpet 1 and 2 share the melody and all parts have ample time to get the mouthpiece off the face. Pay close attention to the doted eighths and the even eighths for better rhythm.

Listen to sample- Sesame St.

Free download- Sesame Street

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Whistlin’ Rufus

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- Dan W. Quinn/arr.Chidester
Length- 1:56
Difficulty- M
Range – Low G to high C (optional)
Endurance- 3
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 3

Here’s a great little number with the typical 1902 feel. The melody is in the second part and the first part tries to be a clarinet to get the feel of the piece. The third and fourth parts were recorded on flugel horns but will work just as well with four trumpets or even better, four cornets.

Listen to sample- Whistlin Rufus

View first page of score- Whistlin’ Rufus

Priced at only $5.00


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Pretty Woman

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Instrumentation- Trumpet Quartet
Composer- arr.Chidester
Length- 2:44
Difficulty- M+
Range – Low G to G just above staff
Endurance- 2+
Finger technique- 2
Counting ability- 2
Ensemble difficulty- 3

I arranged and dedicated this to a lovely lady who is the epitome of grace, beauty and style. Happy New Year Linda and may you have many, many more. This does not include a score.

Listen to sample- Pretty Woman

Priced at only $5.00


Learn more about the Branson Trumpet Ensemble