Master Brass Classic Hymns

A traditional brass quintet with an optional baritone part which allows to be a sextet as well. The beginning is active establishing a happy beginning to the piece. Then all the parts are in straight harmonies and then become fragmented. A modulation takes place allowing the lower voices to carry the tune. Then a tuba sola solo commences with light upper parts decorating the lines, until the parts fragment. This concludes with a modulation with motivic statements. After a brief intermission the piece takes off again with the tune in the lower voices and the trumpets add a flurry descants. As the piece comes to a close more and more voices add to the mix until the pieces adds a solid, grand statement.

A standard brass quintet with optional trumpet for horn. As one might expect the piece is cheerful from beginning to end. It opens with rhythmic patterns where the first statement of the tune is presented by the trombone. The chorus is harmonically in block format where it comes to an end. NOW, something different the second trumpet and tuba present a simple accompaniment while all the other voice, yes voices, sing the words and melody of the song! A brief conclusion, a modulations and the piece returns to the texture of the earlier statement. The a bit of tongue and check statements and a very conclusive ending.

(2fl,2cl+5th pts)

A standard brass quintet with optional baritone for a sextet. The introduction starts in the tuba and then adds more voices as you would expect- rising! The tune is now bantered about between the upper voices and then lower ones. Modulation! And the Q&A game continues. Another modulation and the tempo suddenly changes to a slower, expressive one with the French horn featured. As before the Q&A continues. Another modulation and an “a tempo” where the piece now in full ensemble starts lower and softer and continually adds activity and pitch raising until a vigorous conclusion.

A brass quintet with opt. Trumpet for horn and baritone TC. It begins with fanfare motifs of the tune and then breaks into the hymn adding more parts as it progresses. It continues with a Q&A type of dialog between the lower, then upper voices. The second setion in a different key is reminiscent of the opening only this time in the middle voices and again moves in a Q&A type of dialog. Again modulating to a new key the theme is bounced around with rhythmical interest only to finalize in strong chordal patterns and ending on a bold declamation.