October Rain: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

$15.00 USD

October Rain: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Name: October Rain: Brass Quintet Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-BQ26256
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Vince Gassi

Level: Medium

Item: 81-BQ26256

$15.00

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One moment…

Everyone needs a warm fuzzy when the leaves turn color and the crisp autumn air comes our way. Just imagine curling up by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket and you're in the perfect mood for the soft edges of October Rain. The rich harmonies and poignant melody of this easy flugel horn featured ballad will chase all your troubles away.

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Series: Eighth Note Publications: Vince Gassi Jazz Series

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-55472-715-4

ISBN13: 978-1-55472-715-5

UPC: 685462002825

SKU: 81-BQ26256

Instrumentation: Brass Quintet (Opt. Drumset)

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has spent more than two decades teaching instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels while building one of the most prolific publishing catalogs in contemporary band and jazz writing. His output now exceeds 100 titles, earning him regular appearances on international concert and festival programs. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario and pursued advanced study in composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles before completing his Ph.D. at York University in Toronto.

As a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout North America, Gassi has become known for bridging the gap between creative challenge and student engagement. His seminars on arranging concepts and digital workflows for music directors address practical concerns facing today's ensembles. His works have been recorded and performed across North America, Europe, and Japan, with frequent performances at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

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Why we love this

Gassi crafts this ballad with the restraint of a seasoned arranger who understands that not every moment needs to be loud to be powerful. The featured flugelhorn gives the piece its heart, and the supporting brass voices create an intimate harmonic landscape that feels both contemporary and deeply musical. Medium difficulty keeps the focus on musicality rather than technical display, making it genuinely rewarding for ensembles ready to explore tone and phrasing.

What to expect

The opening feels like stepping into a room where a fire is already crackling; warmth is immediate, not earned. Rich stacked harmonies create a blanket of sound around a tender melody, evoking the stillness of an autumn evening. Gassi's orchestration lets the brass breathe, avoiding the heaviness that can weigh down softer material.

Who it's for

Brass quintets with a flugelhorn player who are comfortable with lyrical, rubato-style playing and not yet ready for the technical demands of classical chamber music. Contest and festival programmers seeking a piece that showcases musicianship and emotional maturity at a sustainable difficulty level.

How to get the most out of it

Let the flugelhorn's vibrato speak naturally; resist the urge to add extra vibrato to match fuller brass sound. The contrast creates depth.
Shape the phrase endings with subtle dynamic reduction rather than sudden stops. These softer edges distinguish a ballad from a march.
Balance the inner voices against the melody so they provide harmonic color without drowning the soloist. A rehearsal with just flugelhorn and one supporting voice at a time clarifies the blend.
If adding optional drumset, keep it sparse and brushes-focused; let the drums suggest rather than punctuate.

How to use it

Program this as an intermission closer to reset the audience's emotional temperature after a more energetic first half. It pairs naturally with upbeat contemporary works or serves as a gentle bridge between classical standards and modern jazz arrangements. Contest directors often find ballads like this valuable because they ask for restraint and musicality in a season full of fast-moving pieces.