24 Trumpet Trios: Trumpet Book

Accessible yet never patronizing. These arrangements honor the original melodies while respecting that young players are still building breath control and secure intonation. There's warmth in the collection—hymns sit beside folk tunes, baroque dances next to character pieces—creating a rehearsal that feels like exploring a well-stocked library rather than grinding through drills.

Beginning to intermediate trumpet students learning to play in ensemble. This book works equally well in private lessons (one student per part with the teacher filling in), in small group settings, or as supplementary material for band students who want focused ensemble experience.

• Balance the three parts by listening for the melody in the top trumpet; support it without overshadowing. If players are sitting in a triangle formation, the two lower voices should think of themselves as the rhythm section.
• Work phrase shapes before worrying about rhythmic precision. Many of these pieces breathe like songs, so having students sing their parts first can unlock the musicality that makes simple arrangements sing.
• Let each trio choose one piece to perform as their own. Ownership transforms these from exercises into real performances, and students will take care with tone and phrasing when they feel invested.

Assign one trio per week during sectional rehearsals so trumpet students have a consistent collaborative goal separate from full band music. The pieces are short enough that a trio can prepare one for a studio class recital within two weeks, and the mix of styles means you can program them across fall and spring without repetition.

• Playing with consistent tone quality across a full range within each part
• Balancing volume and articulation as both melody and harmony voice
• Listening to and locking with two other players in real time
• Breathing together and phrasing as an ensemble
• Reading at Grade 1-2 complexity while managing ensemble awareness