Sounding Brass! (Book 1): Brass Quintet Conductor Score

A warm, celebratory survey of Christmas tradition arranged for the full, resonant sonority of brass. Each carol retains its essential character while gaining new depth and richness from the five-voice texture, creating arrangements that feel both familiar and freshly orchestrated.

Brass quintet directors and conductors seeking substantial Christmas repertoire that balances accessibility with musical sophistication. This collection works equally well for professional ensembles, university brass quintet courses, and advanced high school brass programs.

• Balance the two trumpet parts so neither dominates; in many carols, they share the melody and need to sound integrated rather than competitive.
• Use the conductor score to identify which voice carries the primary tune in each arrangement, then weight your rehearsal time accordingly to ensure that line projects clearly.
• Pay attention to the trombone and tuba foundation. These parts anchor the harmonic movement, so secure them first before polishing upper voice details.
• Approach tempos with the acoustic of your performance space in mind. Christmas carols benefit from breathing room; resist rushing even in livelier arrangements like 'March of the Three Kings.'

Build an entire Christmas concert around these nine carols, or select individual arrangements to anchor a mixed holiday program. The variety in style and character (from the stately 'Good King Wenceslas' to the rhythmic joy of 'Patapan') gives you flexibility in pacing and mood within a single concert.

• Balancing multiple voices within a five-part texture
• Maintaining harmonic integrity while blending different timbres (trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba)
• Reading from a conductor score and understanding vertical alignment
• Executing stylistic differences across varied carol arrangements
• Ensemble intonation in chromatic passages and sustained harmonic progressions