Seventy Six Trombones (arr. Ed Lojeski): Choral Instrumental Pak

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the orchestral sweep and infectious energy of the original without demanding professional-level instrumental sections. The vocal writing sits comfortably across multiple voicing options, and the permission to imitate band instruments vocally opens creative rehearsal possibilities that keep singers engaged and energized.

Stepping onto a Broadway stage with a full marching band behind you. The arrangement crackles with that particular blend of Americana optimism and showstopper swagger that The Music Man perfected. Your singers become the orchestra, the brass section, and the ensemble all at once, transforming the concert hall into something closer to a genuine musical theater experience.

Concert choirs across high school and community settings who want to program contemporary musical theater work that feels substantial and rewarding without requiring a pit orchestra. The multiple voicing options make this accessible to groups with varying vocal ranges and maturity levels.

• Build the opening energy gradually through the first minute. Resist the impulse to rush; let the march's momentum accumulate naturally as more voices enter.
• Assign specific singers the task of 'playing' trombone glissandos vocally. Isolate these moments in rehearsal and reward precise pitch accuracy in these trademark moments.
• Balance the choir's enthusiasm with clarity of text. The excitement is contagious, but audiences need to hear what is being sung.
• If using instrumental accompaniment, ensure your rhythm section locks onto the march's forward pulse without dragging. The recorded accompaniment should feel like it's propelling the singers forward.

Anchor a spring pops concert or musical theater themed program with this crowd pleaser. The four-minute runtime provides satisfying programming weight without overshadowing lighter fare, and its immediate appeal makes it an excellent vehicle for engaging audiences who might not attend a traditional concert. This also works beautifully as a finale that sends the audience out smiling.

• Rhythmic precision in march style (syncopation and steady pulse maintenance)
• Articulation control to imitate instrumental tone colors vocally
• Dynamic shaping across longer phrases while maintaining textual clarity
• Ensemble balance between sustained harmonic foundation and active melodic line
• Performance confidence and theatrical presence in a familiar contemporary idiom