Slidin's Sam: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Playful and snappy, with the swagger of a 1918 jazz composition that sounds equally at home in a modern concert. The trombone smear is the heart of the piece, giving it a wink and a grin without sacrificing musicality.

Concert bands at the intermediate level who want to program something with personality and historical flavor without sacrificing ensemble balance. Directors seeking a feature that gives the trombone section genuine solo time and style.

• Shape the trombone smear as a musical gesture, not a novelty effect. The slide should be deliberate and voiced, connecting cleanly into the arrival note rather than wallowing in the transition.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass, drums, piano if present) into a steady, lighter swing feel. Ragtime thrives on rhythmic precision and bounce, not heavy swing.
• Balance the soloist against the ensemble carefully during tutti sections. The trombone voice needs to cut through without the band swamping it.

Pair this in a concert built around early American musical styles or use it as a palate cleanser between heavier works. It works especially well on a program where you want to showcase your trombone players and remind the audience that concert band repertoire need not always be serious.

• Ragtime rhythmic articulation and phrasing
• Jazz-inflected style and intonation adjustments
• Trombone smear technique and slide control
• Balancing solo voices within ensemble texture
• Maintaining steady rhythm and swing feel