Pop Trios for All (Revised and Updated): Trombone, Baritone B.C., Bassoon, Tuba Book

Story's arrangements capture the energy and recognizability of these pop hits while respecting the technical realities of developing brass and woodwind players. The flexible instrumentation means you can actually use whatever combination of lower voices you have on any given day, and the graded difficulty within a single book lets you program pieces that challenge your strongest players without losing your section.

These arrangements breathe with the rhythmic sophistication of their pop sources while remaining playable for intermediate students. Each trio creates a genuine ensemble sound: the lower brass and woodwind voices interact as partners rather than background support, giving every player a moment to shine.

Brass and woodwind players in grades 4 through 8 who benefit from graded difficulty within a single book. Directors managing mixed instrumentation sections (particularly common in younger bands or flexible ensemble situations) will find this collection essential for building confidence and community through recognizable repertoire.

• Lock the rhythmic foundation between trombone and tuba; their interaction drives the groove in most of these arrangements.
• Balance the baritone carefully when it carries the melody; this voice often gets buried in rehearsal but sits perfectly with proper dynamic awareness.
• Use the no page turn format to your advantage by marking clear rehearsal spots in your parts so students can jump to problem areas without hunting through measures.
• Give the bassoon player time to adjust articulation style depending on the tune; Some arrangements call for legato phrasing while others demand crisp staccato.

Pull a Grade 1 piece for a winter concert opener when you need something high-energy and accessible to younger sections. Layer in a Grade 2-3 arrangement at spring festival or use individual titles as audition repertoire that builds confidence without intimidation. This book also works beautifully for standalone small group performances at community events or family concerts where recognizable titles draw and hold an audience.

• Reading mixed rhythmic patterns (straight eighths vs. swung eighths)
• Maintaining consistent ensemble texture across three distinct voices
• Balancing melody and harmony within a small group setting
• Adapting articulation and phrasing to match contemporary song styles
• Reading from score format with alternate notation for instrument ranges