Fanfare on Adeste Fideles: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Treybig's arrangement captures the festive, turn-of-the-century character of Barnhouse's original while tailoring it perfectly for brass quintet texture. The piece allows quintet players to shine on a recognizable hymn tune without requiring orchestral forces, making it an ideal choice for holiday concerts that need substance and warmth. The scoring moves fluidly between reverent and celebratory moments, giving directors real interpretive choices.

Adeste Fideles emerges from Barnhouse's arrangement as both reverent and spirited, moving between moments of quiet dignity and brighter fanfare passages. The quintet texture allows each player a voice in shaping the hymn's character, whether in warm, blended chords or in sharper, more articulate exchanges.

Brass quintet players seeking a substantial seasonal work that showcases both technical skill and musical maturity. Directors programming holiday concerts will appreciate having a dignified yet engaging treatment of a beloved hymn tune that doesn't require full band or orchestra resources.

• Balance the melody across your quintet carefully during the more lyrical passages; resisting the urge to let the brass dominate will reveal Barnhouse's harmonic writing.
• Attend to the articulation markings closely, as they define the character shifts from stately to lighthearted throughout the piece.
• Use the full forty pages to prepare separate parts thoroughly; a brass quintet needs precise coordination to maintain clarity across all five voices.

Position this piece as a substantial centerpiece within a holiday concert's opening or closing segment, allowing it to stand alone without instrumental ensemble support. It works equally well as a concert opener that sets a festive tone or as a closing benediction that sends audiences out thoughtfully.

• Playing with balanced blend across five independent parts
• Interpreting style shifts from reverential to celebratory
• Intonation precision in sustained harmonic contexts
• Articulation control across contrasting musical passages
• Reading multiple time signatures and textural changes