'Tis the Season to Get Funky: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

A laid-back holiday moment with modern swagger. The ensemble settles into a smooth funk groove while the familiar melody glides through, making it feel like the Christmas song is happening in a lounge rather than a concert hall.

Brass quintets looking for a seasonal piece that doesn't feel heavy or overly traditional. This arrangement works well for groups comfortable with rhythmic groove and looking to show their lighter side at holiday concerts or festive community events.

• Lock the tuba line tight with any drummer you add; the bass groove is what drives the whole arrangement, so establish that pocket first before layering in the melodic parts.
• Keep the tempo relaxed and steady. At 2 minutes 5 seconds, this piece breathes, so resist the urge to rush the backbeat.
• Balance the trumpet and horn melody so it sits on top of the harmonic support without overshadowing it; this is ensemble funky, not a trumpet feature.

Program this as a change of pace between heavier seasonal works, or use it to open a holiday event with something contemporary and approachable. The optional drumset part also makes it flexible for informal performance settings where adding percussion depth enhances the groove.

• Maintaining steady pocket and groove feel in ensemble context
• Balancing rhythmic precision with laid-back phrasing
• Supporting a melody line through harmonic accompaniment rather than doubling
• Interpreting funk articulation and style on brass instruments