The Christmas Gig Book, Volume 2: 2nd Trumpet Part(s)

Ten snapshots of Christmas across different traditions and moods, from the processional dignity of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" to the dancing brightness of "Ding Dong Merrily on High." The arrangements honor the sacred character of these carols while giving brass players the chance to shape familiar melodies into something fresh.

Brass quintets working at the intermediate level who want holiday repertoire that doesn't patronize them. Elementary through professional ensembles will find something playable here without sacrificing musicality.

• Balance the melody between first and second trumpet so neither dominates; these arrangements benefit from a unified brass sound rather than a hierarchical one.
• Approach the dynamic curves as a quintet unit. Mark collective crescendos and decrescendos in rehearsal so the ensemble breathes together.
• Pay attention to style shifts across the collection. "Still, Still, Still" requires a different tonal quality than "Ding Dong Merrily on High," so use rehearsal time to explore how mood changes affect articulation and phrasing.

This collection works as a standalone holiday concert or as a flexible supplementary set you can draw from throughout the season. Choose a few pieces for a December youth ensemble concert, or program the full suite as part of a community holiday celebration where different moods and styles keep listeners engaged.

• Balancing inner voices in a quintet texture
• Shifting articulation and tone color to match different musical styles
• Reading and executing dynamic shaping in ensemble context
• Maintaining intonation across sustained harmonic progressions
• Coordinating phrasing with multiple voice lines