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

These 18 charts deliver exactly what pep band and marching ensembles need: recognizable, fun material that students genuinely want to play, built on solid harmonic and rhythmic foundations. López's arranging voice stays consistent throughout the collection, so once your section locks into the style, the charts feel intuitive to learn. The 2.5-3 grade level means second trumpet players get a real part, not padding, across a mix of upbeat pop, movie themes, and true classics.

Immediate fun. Opening with 'All Star' or 'Any Way You Want It' signals to students that they're playing music people actually recognize and enjoy. The collection swings between high-octane rhythmic pieces, classic popular songs, and standards like 'Sing, Sing, Sing' that let the ensemble flex its musicality. Every chart has personality and forward momentum.

Second trumpet players in marching bands, pep bands, and concert ensembles who want to build confidence with accessible, immediately rewarding repertoire. This collection works for directors seeking quick-hitting, high-energy charts that don't demand extensive rehearsal time but deliver strong results.

• Keep the rhythm section tight as the anchor. These charts live and die by consistent tempo and pocket feel, especially in cuts like 'Conga' and 'Gonna Make You Sweat,' where the pulse drives the energy.
• Balance your lead trumpet's melodic presence with clean second trumpet harmony. López writes second parts that matter; avoid sitting too far back in the mix.
• Lock the articulation style early. Many of these charts shift between punchy rhythmic stabs and sustained passages; commit to a clean, consistent tongue attack to nail the style changes.
• Use the simplicity to your advantage. With 12 pages of familiar material, your band can focus on execution and blend rather than deciphering complex notation.

These charts are ideal for pep band half-time sets, pre-game performances, and concert openers that need to connect instantly with an audience. The 12-page format means you can program multiple selections in a single rehearsal block, making this collection perfect for filling out a concert quickly or building a versatile performance set for community events and football games.

• Reading trumpet parts across multiple styles and tempos
• Balancing harmonic responsibility as a second voice
• Maintaining consistent articulation and tone through style shifts
• Tracking harmony movement in popular and jazz-influenced progressions
• Building sight-reading fluency in 2.5-3 level material