The Sounds of the Season: 2 Trombones & Keyboard Book

Warm, familiar melodies meet fresh harmonic color through the trombone's natural richness. The eight pieces range across reflective moments and spirited celebrations, creating a program that honors tradition while avoiding predictability.

Brass duet ensembles performing in school or church settings during the holiday season. The medium difficulty level serves players comfortable with moderate rhythmic and harmonic complexity but not yet at advanced solo repertoire level.

• Balance the two trombone lines as a true ensemble rather than treating one as accompaniment. Listen for blend in unison passages, then let the inner voices breathe in counterpoint.
• Use the keyboard to lock your tempo during longer note values. This prevents the common tendency to stretch during sustained chords.
• Shape phrases from the carol melodies you already know, even when Marlatt has subdivided them across both instruments. Your audience will feel the familiar tune even as the arrangement freshens it.
• Rehearse the transitions between the eight pieces as if they're movements in a mini-suite rather than separate selections. Smooth tempi shifts will enhance the variety without feeling scattered.

Slot these eight pieces across a concert program to frame longer works or create a entire second-half carol medley. A duet section works particularly well in mixed-level performances since it showcases brass artistry while giving your soloists substantial material.

• Balancing two equal melodic lines with clear voicing
• Sustained legit playing across multiple phrases
• Reading and executing rhythmic precision in figured accompaniment
• Phrasing familiar melodies in new harmonic contexts
• Ensemble listening and adjustment within a small ensemble