This Old Man Variations: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Playful and refreshingly unpretentious. You begin with the nursery rhyme in its most straightforward form, then slip into the elegance of a waltz, and finally land in a breezy tropical groove. Each style shift feels natural and earned.

Brass quintets in their first or second year of playing together, whether in school ensembles or community settings. The accessibility makes it ideal for players still building fundamental skills while the familiar tune and engaging arrangements keep morale high.

• Establish the steady pulse in the opening trumpet statement; younger quintets benefit from a clear metrical foundation before the style changes arrive.
• Balance the waltz section by letting the lower voices anchor the harmonic foundation while trumpets carry the melody without overshadowing it.
• Lighten articulation and brighten tone for the Calypso feel; the rhythmic lilt comes from clarity and character, not speed.

Program this as a lighter moment in a concert featuring mostly standard quintet repertoire, or pair it with other folk song arrangements to build a thematic set. It also works well as a confidence builder earlier in the season when a quintet is still solidifying its basic sound.

• Intonation and blend across changing ensemble balances
• Style recognition and musical character (march, waltz, Calypso)
• Smooth dynamic transitions between sections
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated Calypso rhythms
• Collaborative listening as the lead voice rotates