The Very Best of John Williams: Trombone Book & Online Audio/Software

These arrangements capture the cinematic grandeur of Williams' original scores while remaining genuinely playable for developing musicians. The collection spans multiple beloved franchises, giving you flexibility to program thematically (Star Wars night, Harry Potter celebration, Olympic theme showcase) or mix them freely, and the demonstration tracks followed by play-alongs mean students hear how each piece should sound before they perform it.

These pieces transport the trombone into the worlds of epic space battles, wizard schools, and Olympic grandeur. Each arrangement preserves the emotional core of Williams' originals, whether that's the soaring romanticism of Superman's theme, the mischievous swagger of Cantina Band, or the foreboding march of The Imperial March. Playing them feels instantly cinematic.

This book serves trombone players in grades 5-8 who are ready for genuine repertoire beyond method-book exercises but still need level-appropriate arrangement and support. It's equally valuable for high school trombonists building sight-reading fluency with accessible, engaging material and adult community band members seeking familiar, satisfying solos or ensemble pieces.

• Reference the demonstration tracks first to internalize the melodic shape and phrasing before tackling the notation. Williams' melodies often have a lyrical, singing quality that notation alone won't fully convey.
• Use the TNT 2 software to isolate challenging passages at a slower tempo. The Imperial March and Duel of the Fates contain rhythmic intricacies that benefit from incremental tempo building.
• Balance your sound with the accompaniment recording by listening to the balance in the demonstration track. These orchestrated backgrounds are full; resist the urge to cover them.
• Shape the longer phrase lines as Williams intended. Even at Level 2-3, these melodies ask for intentional breathing and dynamic contours rather than straight eighth-note playing.

Program individual selections as contest or festival solo pieces, or build a themed concert around a single franchise. The compatibility between arrangements means you can layer multiple titles as a student ensemble piece, creating a cumulative effect that showcases Williams' distinctive harmonic voice. These work particularly well as gateway material for students interested in film music or contemporary composition.

• Reading and executing a fully notated part against orchestrated accompaniment
• Sustaining long lyrical phrases with consistent air support and tone quality
• Identifying and shaping the primary melodic line in a rich harmonic context
• Matching intonation and articulation to a recorded reference performance
• Adjusting tempo and dynamics to match accompaniment using technology