Trombones in Paradise: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Sterk has engineered genuine accessibility without sacrificing musical substance. By limiting the trombone section to the first six notes of the B-flat concert scale and using only natural glissandos, he removes technical barriers that often slow down young ensembles, allowing the focus to stay on the real learning: navigating the 3-2 son clave rhythm that anchors the entire piece. The inclusion of Latin percussion parts like maracas and claves transforms what could be a throwaway feature into a rhythmic and cultural teaching moment.

Bright, buoyant, and rhythmically propulsive, with the warmth of a Caribbean breeze. The natural glissandos add a playful, sliding quality that keeps the energy light and fun, while the son clave pulse underneath creates genuine groove and forward motion.

Young concert bands encountering their first meaningful encounter with Latin rhythmic concepts and syncopation. Trombone sections benefit most from this piece, as it gives them a fully featured arrangement that's achievable within the first year or two of instruction without requiring advanced technique.

• Establish the son clave pattern in the ensemble before rehearsing any other section. Have the percussion section lock the rhythm independently, then layer in the band's syncopated parts once they hear the clave clearly.
• Encourage your trombones to shape their natural glissandos with intention rather than rushing them. Even though the glissandos are physically inevitable, controlling their speed and musicality will determine whether they sit rhythmically with the groove.
• Record a rehearsal of your trombone section's glissando work solo. Playback often reveals whether the glissandos are synchronized as a section or if they're scattered, which will inform how tight you need the section to be before full-band rehearsals begin.
• Balance the Latin percussion so it's audible and grounded in the mix without overwhelming the band. These parts establish the harmonic foundation of the piece, so they deserve clear presence in the sound.

Feature this in a spring or end-of-year concert where you want to showcase both your young musicians' growing musicianship and their expanding rhythmic vocabulary. It pairs well on a program with other light concert pieces or Latin-influenced works, giving audiences a taste of the stylistic variety your band can handle.

• Playing and internalizing the 3-2 son clave rhythm
• Understanding basic Latin and Afro-Cuban musical vocabulary
• Controlling natural glissandos with rhythmic precision
• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a group context
• Ensemble balance and listening across sections with non-traditional percussion instruments