Christmas Instrumental Solos: Carols & Traditional Classics: Trombone Book & CD

Familiar melodies shine through straightforward orchestrations that let the trombone sing without overwhelming it. The arrangements honor the gentle, reflective quality of carols and hymns while the orchestrated accompaniments create an immediate sense of celebration and ensemble warmth.

Trombone students in their second or third year who are ready for solo repertoire beyond method books, as well as private teachers looking for appealing material that builds confidence and musicianship without excessive technical demands. Community band and church ensemble musicians also benefit from this collection when seeking accessible holiday arrangements.

• Match your phrasing to the demonstration track on the CD before moving to the play-along version; hearing a model trombone (or similar voice) first clarifies the musical intent of each phrase.
• Keep the tone warm and singing through sustained passages like those in 'O Holy Night,' resisting the urge to add vibrato that would obscure the hymn-like character of the arrangements.
• Balance projection with restraint in medley sections where the trombone carries melody against the orchestration; these are accompaniment recordings, not rhythm section tracks, so let them support your line rather than fight for space.
• Prepare shift passages in advance by fingering them slowly with the CD muted, then gradually increase tempo to performance speed with the play-along track.

Build a holiday concert with this collection as the backbone: select solos for individual students, feature a medley as an ensemble moment with piano accompaniment, or layer multiple soloists over the orchestrated tracks for chamber-like textures. The 24-page format means you'll have enough variety to sustain a 15-20 minute program without filler.

• Sustaining tone quality through longer phrases (hymn-like arrangements)
• Responding to accompaniment textures while maintaining independence
• Shift accuracy across typical solo ranges
• Stylistic interpretation of familiar melodies without over-phrasing
• Ensemble listening through orchestrated play-along experiences