Children's Medley 2: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Warm and inviting. The medley unfolds like a music box that's been wound up with genuine affection for these melodies rather than condescension toward them. There's a playfulness in how the themes interact, and listeners young and old recognize themselves in the music.

Brass quintets working at the medium level who want repertoire that appeals broadly to audiences without requiring virtuosic chops. Schools planning children's concerts, family matinees, or festival performances will find this especially useful. It also serves as solid repertoire for community brass groups and recital programs where variety and approachability matter.

• Balance the melody line across your quintet members so that no single voice dominates. Each tune deserves clarity, and passing the lead between voices will keep the medley feel fresh.
• Use the score to identify where sections shift tempo or character between melodies. Rehearse the transitions explicitly so they land smoothly rather than feeling abrupt.
• Shape each melody according to its own character. 'Rock-a-Bye Baby' breathes differently than 'I've Been Working on the Railroad,' and the arrangement rewards those distinctions.

Program this alongside more contemporary or advanced works to create variety and accessibility in a concert. It works especially well as a closer on family-oriented programs, where it can send audiences out smiling. For school band concerts and festivals, it provides a palate-cleansing moment that younger students in the audience can follow and enjoy.

• Balancing independent melodic lines within an ensemble texture
• Executing clean phrase transitions between contrasting themes
• Maintaining intonation while supporting harmonic underpinnings
• Shaping familiar melodies with stylistic awareness