Trombones for President!: B-flat Bass Clarinet

Imagine a trombone section that finally gets to cut loose with personality and warmth. There's a playful confidence in those jazzy smears, and the swinging groove sits somewhere between New Orleans brass culture and modern concert band energy. It's fun without being silly, entertaining without sacrificing musicianship.

Concert bands at the Grade 1.5 level looking for a showpiece that energizes the audience and gives the trombone section a genuine spotlight moment. Directors who want a crowd pleaser that also serves as a real rehearsal vehicle for New Orleans-style articulation and section balance.

• Let the trombones lean into the smear figures; they're written as a feature, so those slides should be heard and enjoyed, not rushed through.
• Lock the rhythm section (drums and bass parts) into that New Orleans swagger first. The groove is the engine that makes everything else swing.
• Balance the trombone solos carefully against the ensemble. This is their moment, but the full band support keeps the sound unified and full.
• Keep the tempo steady and infectious. A 2:05 runtime at this energy level needs confidence; don't let it drag or rush.

This works beautifully as a second-half opener or closer on a concert, especially when you want to shift mood after heavier classical or contemporary repertoire. It's the kind of piece that builds audience goodwill and gives your trombones a memory they'll talk about long after the concert ends.

• Trombone smearing and portamento technique
• New Orleans-style articulation and phrasing
• Section balance and blend in a feature context
• Syncopated rhythms and groove-based ensemble playing
• Swing interpretation and jazz-influenced style
• Dynamic control within a jazz-inflected sound