Hopak!: Trombone 2
Hopak!: Trombone 2 Sheet Music Preview

Hopak!: Trombone 2

By William Owens

Grade: 2.5

Item: 98-PC-DB1612_TN2
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Description
Inspired by Ukrainian folk melodies, this highly spirited work is captivating in every way! Audacious melodies, rich harmonies and engaging percussion parts are at the heart of the excitement. The carefree trombone solo is cued for ultimate performance flexibility. An absolutely fabulous way to close your concert!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hopak!: Trombone 2 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: FJH Young Band
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU: 98-PC-DB1612_TN2

More about this title

About the Composer: William Owens

William Owens

William Owens has built a remarkable career as both an educator and composer, earning recognition for his ability to write music that engages young musicians while maintaining musical integrity. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he spent 30 years directing bands in Texas before focusing full-time on composition. His output now exceeds 300 published works across concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble, establishing him as a defining voice in young band literature.

Owens brings a clinician's ear to his compositional work, understanding precisely what young musicians need to sound their best in performance. His works regularly appear on state music lists and in educational texts, reflecting their pedagogical value and musical substance. He holds memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International, and has received commissions from prestigious organizations including the American Bandmasters Association.

Why we love this

Owens writes with infectious energy and genuine respect for young musicians' capabilities. The combination of Ukrainian folk inspiration with accessible instrumentation and flexible cueing means your band sounds polished and engaged without requiring virtuosic soloists, making it an ideal closer that leaves audiences smiling.

What to expect

Hopak! bounces with the energy of a folk celebration, driven by audacious melodic lines and rich harmonic color. The carefree trombone solo sits at the heart of the excitement, supported by engaging percussion writing that propels the piece forward with genuine joy.

Who it's for

Bands at the 2.5 grade level who want to program something with personality and multicultural substance without scaling back musicality. It works equally well for festivals, contests, or concert finales, giving your students a piece they'll remember playing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the trombone solo against the tutti sections; the cue parts ensure that if your trombones aren't ready to carry the feature, other instruments can support the melody without losing its character.
  • Shape the Ukrainian melodic contours with subtle rubato in the featured passages to highlight the folk idiom; these natural phrase curves give the piece its spirited character.
  • Engage your percussion section early in rehearsal. The parts are written to drive the excitement forward, so clarity and rhythmic precision in timpani and battery parts directly influence the piece's energy level.
  • Treat the carefree character as permission to let the band's personality shine through; this isn't a piece that demands rigid metronomic precision, so encourage your students to play with vitality.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer to send the audience home energized, or use it in a festival setting where its accessibility at the grade level pairs with immediate audience appeal. It also serves as an excellent opener for a program exploring multicultural themes or folk music traditions.

Skills your students will build

  • Performing in a multicultural musical idiom (Ukrainian folk melody)
  • Balancing solo features with ensemble support through cued parts
  • Shaping folk-inspired melodic contours with appropriate phrasing
  • Coordinating with percussion to drive forward energy and rhythmic momentum
  • Reading and executing rich harmonic textures at an accessible grade level

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