The Best of "Shorties": 2nd B-flat Trumpet Book

López's instinct for which songs actually work as marching band charts shows throughout this collection. These aren't watered-down versions of the originals; they're reimagined specifically for the marching context, with parts that feel rewarding to play even in condensed form. The variety of styles and eras means your trumpet section stays engaged across the full 16 titles.

A greatest-hits playlist for the brass section. These are songs people know and love in their original forms, now reshaped for the marching context. The collection spans rock and roll, soul, funk, and Americana, creating a setlist that feels fresh and contemporary one moment, then nostalgic and celebratory the next.

Second trumpet players in marching band who need reliable, fun material that goes from stand to performance in minimal rehearsal time. Directors also benefit, gaining a ready-made collection for pep rallies, time-outs, and special events that keeps the section engaged without derailing preparation for full-length shows.

• Keep the articulation clean and uniform across the second trumpet line; these unison passages anchor the brass sound, so clarity in the section matters more than volume.
• Recognize where the melody sits in each arrangement. Sometimes the second trumpet carries it; sometimes you're textural support. Adjusting dynamic awareness between roles keeps the line musical rather than mechanical.
• Lock in rhythmically with the first trumpet on syncopated figures, especially in rock and funk grooves like 'Wipeout' and 'Soul Man.' A tight pair of trumpets drives the whole section.
• For the patriotic closer, think breadth rather than brassy intensity. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' needs space to breathe, particularly at phrase endings.

Program a medley of three or four of these during a pep rally to energize the crowd without needing a full production rehearsal. Alternatively, rotate individual titles into warm-ups throughout the season so students stay sharp with stand play while your main focus stays on the competitive show. The familiarity of these songs makes them excellent morale boosters mid-season.

• Reading and executing music in quick preparation contexts with minimal rehearsal time
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated and groove-based figures
• Balancing as a section player within a smaller brass ensemble
• Articulation control across contrasting styles (rock, funk, soul, traditional)