Christmas Trios for All: B-flat Trumpet, Baritone T.C. Book

Ryden's arrangements unlock the joy of ensemble playing without requiring a full band or orchestra. The flexible instrumentation means brass players can form genuine trios with peers rather than playing simplified solo lines, and the 19 carols span familiar favorites alongside less common seasonal gems that refresh holiday programming year after year.

These arrangements breathe with the warmth of traditional carols while sounding fresh through thoughtful voice leading. The writing sits comfortably in the upper registers for trumpet and offers baritone players meaningful harmonic support without overshadowing the melody, creating a collaborative sound rather than a leader-and-accompaniment texture.

Trumpet and baritone players in middle school through early high school who are ready to play in small ensembles but may not have enough musicians for a full ensemble. This book also works beautifully for sectional rehearsals, audition preparation, or studio teachers building trio repertoire for their brass students.

• Balance the parts by listening for the melody line; the trumpet often carries it, but adjust dynamics so the baritone's supporting voice remains audible rather than buried.
• Mark breathe points collaboratively before rehearsal so all three players catch the same moments and maintain unified phrasing.
• Establish a steady tempo by tapping it out together for one full measure before starting each carol; these arrangements reward steady time over rushed tempos.
• Experiment with doubling parts across different combinations of players across the 19 pieces to find which voicings feel most natural for your trio's range and blend.

Slot these into holiday concerts as a brass trio feature, or use individual carols as warm-up material during December rehearsals to build ensemble listening skills. The variety of styles (from medieval carols to African American spirituals to international melodies) also makes them ideal for cultural music programming or interfaith holiday celebrations.

• Voice independence and listening to other parts while maintaining individual lines
• Balancing volume and tone quality in a small ensemble without a conductor
• Sight-reading at a manageable pace with immediate musical feedback
• Phrasing and breathing coordination across multiple players
• Harmonic awareness and understanding how the two parts support each other