Christmas Brass Ensembles: Trumpet 1

Cacavas understands how to make holiday favorites work for brass ensembles without oversimplifying them. These 19 pieces sit at a genuine intermediate level, meaning your section leaders have material that engages them while younger players gain solid experience. The collection spans familiar songs that audiences recognize instantly, so your concert has built-in appeal even before the music starts.

These arrangements capture the warmth and familiarity of holiday traditions without pretense. You'll recognize the melodies immediately, yet hear them freshly orchestrated for brass texture. The writing feels direct and playable, letting the seasonal spirit come through naturally rather than forcing artificial holiday charm.

Trumpet players in intermediate-level brass ensembles preparing holiday concerts or winter programs. This collection works equally well for high school brass groups, community brass ensembles, and all-state or festival brass choirs looking for accessible, festive repertoire.

• Balance the Trumpet 1 line with careful attention to the ensemble texture below you. Your voice carries melody in many of these arrangements, so listen for moments when you're the primary line versus when you're part of harmonic support.
• Since these are holiday favorites, resist the urge to play them too slowly. Cacavas's arrangements work best with a conversational, song-like tempo that maintains forward momentum and lets the joy of the melodies shine through.
• Mark your breathing points early in rehearsal. With 19 pieces to cover, you'll want to establish consistent phrasing that feels natural and lets your section breathe together.

Program several selections from this collection across your winter concert to create themed segments, or use individual pieces as transitions between other repertoire. The collection's variety makes it ideal for mixed-difficulty programs where you want intermediate material that sounds polished and professional.

• Ensemble balance between solo and supporting voice
• Phrasing and breathing in melodic contexts
• Playing with rhythmic precision in familiar, recognizable material
• Reading in multiple keys and time signatures across a collection