Seventy Six Trombones (arr. Ed Lojeski): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's arrangement respects the swagger and optimism of the original while making it genuinely accessible for young singers. The 2-part voicing sits comfortably across mixed or treble ensembles, and the straightforward harmonic language lets singers focus on nailing the rhythm and character rather than wrestling with vocal mechanics.

The piece radiates joy and confidence from the opening phrase. You feel the march building around you, a cascade of brass section energy even though you're singing it with voices. There's something deeply satisfying about the melodic clarity combined with the driving rhythm that keeps everybody locked in and smiling.

Choirs with singers at the middle school level and above will find this arrangement well-suited to their abilities. Directors working with treble or mixed ensembles who want a crowd-pleasing piece that requires genuine musicianship but not virtuosity will appreciate both the writing and the immediate recognition factor.

• Establish the march feel with a steady, almost military precision in your conducting; this tune demands a "pump" in the rhythm section that lifts the whole ensemble.
• Encourage singers to commit to the lyrical confidence of the phrase 'seventy-six trombones led the big parade.' This isn't a tentative request; it's a proclamation.
• Lock the unison or octave passages early in rehearsal. These moments create the foundation that makes the 2-part writing sparkle when it enters.
• Let the recorded accompaniment guide your tempo choices; the groove is as important as the melody.

Program this in a concert celebrating American musical theater or as a finale that sends the audience out happy. The familiarity makes it perfect for community engagement concerts, holiday performances, or any context where you want singers and audience to leave energized. It pairs well alongside other accessible Broadway selections or as a palate cleanser between heavier choral works.

• Reading and executing steady eighth-note rhythms in a march tempo
• Maintaining rhythmic precision within an ensemble while navigating part independence
• Performing with character and projection while managing melody-driven text delivery
• Balancing unison and 2-part textures for unified ensemble sound