Syzygy: 2nd B-flat Trumpet
By Michael Kamuf
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0016779_T2
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Description
In astronomy, "syzygy" is a term used to describe the alignment of three celestial bodies---namely the Sun, the Earth, and either the Moon or another planet. Students and audiences alike will enjoy this energetic composition filled with bold melodies, contemporary harmony, and punctuated with a vigorous percussion component. (4:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Syzygy: 2nd B-flat Trumpet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
252
SKU:
00-PC-0016779_T2
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Kamuf
Michael Kamuf earned Bachelor of Music degrees in Jazz Performance and Music Education from Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, followed by a Master of Arts in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University. His compositions and arrangements have been recorded by major jazz ensembles including the Woody Herman and Glenn Miller Orchestras, the USAF Airmen of Note, and the US Navy Commodores, as well as by prominent soloists such as James Moody, Eddie Daniels, and Sean Jones. He is an exclusive composer and arranger for the Belwin Division of Alfred Music Publishing, with over 100 titles in print across jazz, orchestra, and concert band catalogs.
Kamuf taught instrumental music in Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland) for thirty years, serving as Director of Bands and Orchestras and Music Department Chairperson at John T. Baker Middle School in Damascus for twenty-seven of those years. Under his leadership, the Baker ensembles earned consistent festival recognition and commissioned numerous works for young concert bands. He leads the Mike Kamuf Little Big Band, a jazz octet based in the Baltimore and Washington, DC region, and has performed as assistant principal trumpet with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
Why we love this
Kamuf understands exactly what Grade 3 bands need: music that sounds substantial without overreaching technically. The contemporary harmonic language and energetic percussion writing keep audiences engaged and your ensemble challenged in all the right ways. At 4:30, it fills a concert slot perfectly and works equally well in festival competition.
What to expect
The piece pulses with contemporary energy, balancing bold, sing-able melodic lines against a modern harmonic backdrop. The vigorous percussion component drives the work forward, creating an astronomical collision of sound that feels both accessible and sophisticated.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands seeking concert and festival repertoire that engages without overwhelming. This works for ensembles at the medium-easy level who are ready for contemporary sonorities and rhythmic precision but don't yet need advanced technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the bold melodies between sections carefully; these lines carry the piece, so ensure they project clearly without sacrificing ensemble blend.
- Give the percussion section dedicated rehearsal time to lock the rhythmic component. The "vigorous" percussion writing is essential to the piece's character and cannot be an afterthought.
- Mark the contemporary harmonic shifts in your parts so students hear the subtle color changes. This helps them understand the composer's intent rather than simply reading notes.
- Record a run-through early in rehearsal to let students hear what the full sound should be. Grade 3 bands benefit from this aural reference, especially with unfamiliar harmonic language.
How to use it
Open a concert with this energetic selection to set a contemporary tone, or place it mid-program to shift momentum. Its 4:30 duration and concert/festival designation make it equally suitable for spring competitions and traditional concerts.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing contemporary harmonic language
- Ensemble balance with contrasting dynamic shapes
- Rhythmic precision in a percussion-driven composition
- Sustaining focus through a medium-length multi-section work
- Interpreting bold melodic lines with confidence and projection