Slip and Slide: Concert Band Conductor Score

Ford nails the pedagogical sweet spot here: a piece that genuinely delights young audiences while giving your beginning trombonists a real reason to practice their slide technique. The comical glissandos feel earned rather than gimmicky, and the clearly marked slide positions remove the guesswork from teaching this feature. It's a recruitment tool that actually works because it celebrates what makes trombones fun.

Lighthearted and unpretentious. The delightful main melody creates a warm foundation, then the trombone slides arrive like a well-timed punchline. There's genuine charm in the juxtaposition of straightforward writing and theatrical gesture.

Beginning band directors seeking a brief, high-impact feature that showcases trombonists and keeps audiences entertained. This works equally well for young ensembles still building confidence and for mixed-ability groups where you want to highlight a specific section's progress.

• Establish a steady tempo in rehearsal before introducing the glissandos; young trombonists will rush the slides when excited about the comedic effect.
• Have non-featured sections lock in hard on the downbeats around the trombone breaks so the sliding passages stand out clearly.
• Balance the melody line prominently enough that the glissandos surprise the audience rather than dominating from the start.

Schedule this early in a concert to set a playful tone and grab audience attention. It's ideal for family concerts, recruitment nights, or any program where you want to showcase the personality of your trombone section without demanding extensive rehearsal time.

• Executing marked trombone glissandos with accurate slide positions
• Balancing featured and accompanying roles within a section
• Maintaining steady tempo while executing brief technical passages