Hark, the Herald Trumpets Swing: E-flat Alto Saxophone
Trumpet Section Feature
Arr. Mark Williams
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0000216_AX1
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
The joint is jumpin' this holiday season with this creative trumpet-section feature. You'll hear several favorite carols in swing style, including solo breaks for up to 3 soloists, along with some "swingin'" choreography. Your kids and audiences are gonna love this one!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hark, the Herald Trumpets Swing: E-flat Alto Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Challenger Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
120
SKU:
00-PC-0000216_AX1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Williams
Mark Williams built his reputation as one of the most prolific and respected voices in school band composition. A co-author of the Accent on Achievement Band Method, Williams created over 200 published works and became known for writing music that engages young musicians while respecting their developing abilities. His influence extended across North America and beyond; as a clinician and guest conductor, he worked with ensembles in 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia.
Earned degrees from Eastern Washington University (Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education), Williams spent his career in Washington schools with a focus on elementary band. He performed bassoon professionally with the 560th Air Force Band and served as conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band. His compositions for band, orchestra, and choir received recognition including the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards.
Why we love this
Mark Williams understood what makes young musicians want to come to rehearsal. This arrangement wraps familiar carols in genuine swing style without abandoning the musical integrity that makes pieces worth performing. The trumpet-section spotlight, solo breaks for multiple soloists, and choreography integration turn what could be a standard holiday selection into something your ensemble will actually be excited to rehearse and your audience will remember.
What to expect
Bright, playful, and undeniably danceable. The swing rhythms and familiar melodic material make this feel contemporary and fun while the carol foundations keep it grounded in holiday tradition. Your band will swing through recognizable tunes with the kind of infectious energy that brings audiences to their feet.
Who it's for
Bands at the Grade 1.5 level looking for a high-engagement holiday program selection that spotlights the trumpet section. Directors who want students to experience style and soloing in a fun, accessible context. Ensembles with choreography experience or willingness to learn simple staging.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a solid swing feel in early rehearsals; have the rhythm section lock in the backbeat and lilting eighth-note interpretation before the trumpet soloists enter.
- Assign your three trumpet soloists strategically. Consider mixed levels so stronger players can anchor the solo sections while developing musicians gain confidence in a featured role.
- Balance ensemble tutti passages so trumpet section solos cut through without the full band overwhelming them; adjust dynamics in supporting voices as needed.
- Coordinate the choreography rehearsals separately at first, then integrate them gradually. Clarity of movement matters more than complexity at this grade level.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone feature piece or anchor your second-half holiday concert with it. The combination of soloists, full ensemble, and choreography makes it work well as a finale that leaves audiences smiling. Its accessible grade level means it won't crowd out time for other repertoire while still delivering impact.
Skills your students will build
- Swing style interpretation and eighth-note phrasing
- Solo performance in ensemble context
- Trumpet section blend and balance
- Rhythmic precision in jazz-influenced idiom
- Coordinating musical and movement cues