Cousins: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Bill Bjornes's arrangement captures the spirit of Clarke's original duet while solving a real logistics problem: you get the full character of this showpiece without needing a full band or pianist behind your soloists. The first trumpet carries the brilliance that Clarke wrote for cornet, and the trombone maintains the conversational interplay that makes this duet so engaging. For a brass quintet looking to add repertoire with substance and audience appeal, this delivers both.

Charming and conversational, with an easy elegance that feels both of its era and timeless. The trumpet and trombone trade melodic ideas with warmth, never straining for effect; the accompanying voices create a gentle, uncluttered harmonic backdrop. There's genuine joy in the writing, you hear Clarke's affection for both instruments and his understanding of what makes them sound good together.

Directors with a solid brass quintet who want repertoire that showcases trumpet and trombone soloists without requiring larger ensemble support. This works beautifully for quintet recitals, masterclass demonstrations, and concert settings where you want a piece with real musicianship demands and audience appeal.

• Balance the trumpet and trombone equally in the opening statement; neither soloist dominates. Clarke wrote this as a true duet, and the arrangement honors that partnership.
• Shape the accompanying voices (horn, second trumpet, tuba) with deliberate restraint so the soloists remain the clear focal point throughout.
• Attend to the harmonic rhythm in the accompaniment; it supports the melodic conversation without stepping forward. Keep it steady and unobtrusive.
• Find a tempo that lets both soloists execute the passagework cleanly while maintaining lyrical flow in the slower sections.

Place this in a concert where you're highlighting your brass quintet's versatility, pairing it with a more contemporary work or a contrasting Baroque arrangement to show range. It's also ideal for a quintet masterclass or demonstration lesson where students benefit from hearing how arranger Bjornes adapted original material for the medium. The medium-difficult level sits perfectly in a program that doesn't demand a full encore.

• Balanced ensemble listening and response between two featured soloists
• Accompanying voice independence and harmonic awareness
• Lyrical phrasing across exposed trumpet and trombone passages
• Stylistic interpretation of early 20th-century brass writing
• Intonation control in a five-part texture without keyboard support