Belwin Master Duets (Trumpet), Advanced Volume 2: Trumpet Book

This collection gives advanced students genuine duet literature that spans four centuries without relying on oversimplified arrangements. The mix of core repertoire (Handel, Corelli, Boyce) alongside Snell's original pieces creates a balanced curriculum where historical awareness and compositional variety reinforce each other, making it an efficient choice for directors who want depth without constant sourcing.

The collection moves fluidly between the ceremonial grandeur of Renaissance fanfares and the intimate conversational interplay of Classical sonatina writing. Snell's original works inject contemporary energy into the mix, creating moments of playful whimsy and bright virtuosity that keep the repertoire feeling alive and modern despite its historical foundations.

Advanced trumpet students preparing for all-state auditions, duet contests, or ensemble recitals will find substantial literature that builds confidence and musicianship. Directors of community bands, university trumpet studios, and advanced high school programs can draw on this collection to develop leadership skills in their upper-level players.

• Balance the first and second trumpet parts by listening vertically rather than matching dynamics; the harmonic relationship often requires the lower voice to sit slightly forward.
• In the Baroque movements, shape phrases with subtle rubato and breathe strategically to maintain line continuity even when parts don't align on rests.
• Snell's original compositions reward attention to articulation contrasts; mark your part clearly to distinguish between the lyrical passages and the rhythmic fanfare writing.
• Use a practice method where each player learns both parts, then switches roles, to internalize ensemble balance and develop flexibility in different registers.

Program duets from this book on recitals alongside concertos or chamber works to demonstrate your advanced students' versatility in ensemble listening and communication. Festival season is ideal for using these pieces as warm-up material before competition, since they're musically substantial enough to center the ear without the pressure of the judged piece.

• Balance and blend in a two-part texture
• Articulation choices in Baroque and Classical styles
• Phrase shaping across extended musical lines
• Listening to harmonic movement and voice independence
• Sight-reading across multiple levels of difficulty within a single collection