I have often read “This product is the best in the world”, and my first thought would be, “How do you know it’s the best in the world”? And I’m sure you have had the same reaction. How could anything be judged the best in the world?
Continue reading and I will try to inform you as to why I think my recent series of brass ensemble arrangements may not be the best in the world, but why I think they will and are the best Brass Series I have seen or heard.
First we must set guidelines when evaluating any product. I have listed the features which I have included in my new series to try to convince you at least that I have done my homework and elevated brass music even if just a little.
What makes great Brass Music?
As some of you already know, I have been performing for a long, long time and through these many DECADES I have played with some wonderful musicians and some of the worst. Some of the worst were organ players trying to understand what to do with brass players. We all expect to hear brass at special occasions whether it be Christmas, Easter, Weddings, Funerals, whatever. The biggest problem is that most organists are not aware of the full potential brass instruments can add to the party.
How many times have you been asked to play in church and the organist hands you a hymnal and tells you to play along with the congregation on FIFTEEN VERSES NOT EVEN AWARE THAT THE TRUMPET IS IN A DIFFERENT KEY THAN THE HYMNAL! calm down…………….
Published arrangements in many cases are just as limiting for they could be written by a keyboard player who might not even be knowledgeable of the ranges of the trumpet, both high and low. I have played arrangements which go far beyond the normal requirements and many which did not use the brass to the fullest.
Because of these horrible conditions both unbearably difficult (fortunately only a couple) and time wasting at rehearsals, I have decided to offer brass ensemble music which is written from the players stand point. It is my wish that more brass players jump in and instead of complaining about the music, start contributing quality arrangements so that the brass world in general can play some decent music.
Before you start yelling at me that you know some wonderful arrangers, let me say that I do also and I’m directing my issues more to the selection of brass music made by the choir directors and keyboard players. It should be our responsibility to show them better music and help them in their musical selection of brass music.
Below I have listed some guidelines when selecting music for brass ensembles and the reasons I feel that my arrangements have value when trying to educate our musical cousins.
It must be playable-
Many times we hear a wonderful arrangements and later find that we have no one available to play the difficult passages. Each of my arrangements in this series are written for the average Middle School/ High School players.
It should be interesting to play-
Each of my parts are conceived from a melodic standpoint in order to make each part interesting to play. Alternating melodic responsibilities also keeps everyone on their toes.
It must have a coherent structure-
The form of each arrangement is determined by the composition itself. Some require introductions while others do not. Some are enhanced by interludes or refrains while others are not. Many times counterpoint is required to make an arrangement stand out while others require more homophonic textures. How an arrangement is handled is very important and for that reason my arrangements are not the usual cookie cutter forms.
It must be versatile-
Each gig has its own unique pile of musicians to draw from. If you happen to be living in L.A., no problem! If, on the other hand, you have a population of 14 in your church membership, there isn’t a lot to draw from. To make my Brass Series more adaptable to the musical requirements, I write the arrangement for one solo instrument. By doing this, it needs no other performers other than a keyboard and one solo player. Then I go through the arrangement and add a second part to serve as a duet, then a third part, followed by the last part. In this way, if you only have one player, it will sound full. If you have two or three, it will sound even fuller. In the case of the arrangement which I have included, the mix and match possibilities are list below.
• Organ / trumpet solo
• Organ / trumpet duet
• Organ / Trumpet / Trombone duet
• Organ / Trumpets 1, 2 / Trombone 1
• Organ / Trumpet 1, 2 / Trombone 1, 2
Even if someone doesn’t show up, which has happened to all of us, you have it covered as long as you have all the parts available.
It should be reasonable in price-
All of my arrangements are usually below the publishing house prices for all the work is done in my little room here in Branson. Actually it isn’t little, but it is in Branson. Each arrangement is sent through E-Mail as a PDF file which keeps our costs down.
It must be quickly available-
Speed can make all the difference. If you have a gig this afternoon and need your music immediately, PDF files through the internet is the only way. And if you don’t believe this happens, I have had such requests twice this past year.
With this in mind, help me stamp out the uneducated requests for brass music and raise the standards with which we all shall be judged.
Calm down…..and take your pill.
