Donkey Riding: Brass Choir Score & Parts

Spirited and rollicking, with the familiar sea shanty melody getting passed around like a musical conversation. The rhythmic variety keeps the energy moving forward, making it feel both celebratory and sophisticated despite its folk roots.

Brass choirs with solid fundamentals who want a piece that showcases the full ensemble without requiring virtuosic technique. This works equally well for college brass choirs, church ensembles, and community brass groups looking for repertoire that is musically satisfying and approachable.

• Balance the melody line across sections as it moves. Since the tune travels through trumpets, horns, and trombones, ensure each section voices the lead clearly while the supporting parts remain subordinate.
• Lock the rhythm section (tubas and euphonium) early in rehearsal. Their solid foundation lets the melody parts focus on phrasing and articulation without fighting the pulse.
• Mark all section entrances and phrase boundaries during initial read-throughs. With melody passing between five trumpets and multiple horn and trombone parts, clarity about who has the tune prevents muddiness.
• Bring out the percussion writing as part of the rhythmic interest. These colors are intentional, not decorative, so they deserve balanced volume in the overall mix.

Program this as a concert opener or early second-half piece to establish a lighter, more accessible tone before moving into weightier brass repertoire. It also pairs well with other folk-based arrangements or pieces that use popular melodies as compositional material.

• Transferring melodic focus between instrumental sections
• Maintaining rhythmic precision while supporting a moving melody
• Balancing ensemble voices when multiple sections carry similar material
• Shaping a recognizable melody across different timbral colors