silverstar

I am thinking about trying to get a brass quintet of High School players together. We really don't have anything like that here where I am...and I thought it would be something really fun and interesting to do.

So, I need to know stuff like how to go about getting music and public interest. I'll probably get some of my friends at school to make the group. (Right now I just have a second trumpet (me)...no one really knows about this yet.)

Is this a good idea? Any suggestions and such would help!

Thanks,

Lara (who's feeling rather ambitious lately)

BigBadWolf

Ask your band director, they usually have some music. Also, Canadian Brass has some books that are for beginner quintets. Look in the Robert King catalog for all of the gb music (Pezel's, Gabrielli's, Die Bankersangerlieder, etc...).

MahlerBrass

That's a great idea!! Playing in a quintet will make you a much better musician because it forces you to listen in a way we're not used to. When I started our quintet, I approached my trumpet teacher, and he made me a deal, since all of his music was completely scattered all over his office and unorganized, he said if I organized it, he'd let me get whatever I'd like. So approach your trumpet teacher or another experienced brass player, you probably won't have to clean their office, but it always helps Slowly over time you'll build your own collection, there are some great sites out there for brass lit, including Robert King, BVD Press, and Hickeys, best of luck!!

Billy B

The Canadian Brass arrangements are the way to go. Your church music director may have some arrangements. There are plaenty of playing opportunities in nursing homes, senior centers, hospitals, churches etc.. This would be a great way to do community service.

Tootsall

Lara, there are a few websites from which you can buy music in just about any (brass) instrumentation you can name. I've used (all?) these in the past with excellent results everytime: the individuals/companies seem to be really "up front" and honest in their dealings and their prices aren't all that bad.

For starters, how about Michael Stewart (http://www.stewmuse.com). Then there's Windmusic Plus http://windmusicplus.safeshopper.com/8/cat8.htm?103 .

If you are thinking of a trumpet quintet you could do a lot worse than taking a look through the pages at Triplo Press http://www.triplo.com/index.html . They even have midi files and sample score sheets so you can see what you're getting into.

Eighth Note Publications http://www.enpmusic.com/ come highly recommended.

I've never used this site but it looks like it might have something interesting. http://www.worldofbrass.com/

When all else fails I've managed to "read" midi files into either Noteworthy Composer or Finale and then "rearrange" them myself to suit whatever instrumentation is available (with varying results...the only thing I have less experience at than arranging is brain surgery!)

When you are "over the pond" you might find some interesting stuff courtesy of Boosey & Hawkes (although I think they might be a bit more expensive!)

Good luck... going with a "traditional" brass quintet will be (I suspect) a lot easier than trying to find music for a trumpet choir!


ARRRGGG! (banging self in head.. I told I was a lousy brain surgeon)... how could I forget? Jim Fox has music on his website too!

trumpetmike

Easier to find brass quintets, but trumpet ensembles are such fun
There is a stack of music out there for trumpet ensemble, if you know where to look

MatthewMiller

www.triplo.com

That's a good place to find some trumpet ensemble music. Has some recordings of said music on the site as well.

BundyGuy

TAP Music Sales has a large catalog of recordings-quintets and other ensembles-to provide inspiration and examples. A wide selection of sheet music is also available.

www.tapmusic.com