Trombones in Paradise: 2nd Percussion
Trombone Section Feature
By Jordan Sterk
Grade: 0.5
Item: 00-PC-0018799_PC2
$3.00
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Description
Trombones in Paradise by Jordan Sterk will give your trombone section an opportunity to shine in this bright and fun feature piece. Using only the first six notes of the B-flat concert scale and only "natural" glissandos for the trombones, this piece is sure to come together quickly and be enjoyed by your young students. Your entire band will love learning one of their first syncopated rhythms based around the 3-2 son clave, a staple rhythm of Afro-Cuban and Latin music. Less common young band Latin percussion instruments such as maracas and claves provide additional parts for your percussionists and add an authentic flair to the music. (1:40)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Trombones in Paradise: 2nd Percussion comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Developing Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0018799_PC2
More about this title
About the Composer: Jordan Sterk
Jordan Sterk holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Michigan State University, where he studied tuba and euphonium under Professor Philip Sinder and worked closely with Associate Professor John T. Madden. Based in Owosso, Michigan, Sterk teaches band at all levels, from beginning students through high school ensembles.
Composition and arrangement work occupy much of Sterk's creative energy. His writing reflects a deep understanding of young musicians' needs: he builds pieces around achievable technical goals while maintaining genuine musical interest. His drill writing work further demonstrates his grasp of how bands develop.
Why we love this
Sterk has engineered a trombone feature that actually works at this level. The constraint of six pitches and natural glissandos means your section can spend rehearsal time on ensemble blend and rhythm accuracy rather than wrestling with range or technique. The 3-2 son clave rhythm introduces authentic Latin percussion vocabulary without requiring your students to master multiple unfamiliar instruments.
What to expect
Bright, propulsive, and distinctly Caribbean. The limited pitch set keeps things transparent; every note in the trombones lands clearly against the band's rhythmic foundation. Natural glissandos give the section a warm, organic quality that feels playful without relying on tricks.
Who it's for
Young concert bands taking their first steps into syncopated rhythms and Latin styles. Trombone sections at any level benefit from a feature that showcases their sound while keeping technical demands realistic. This works especially well for beginning through early intermediate ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Highlight the difference between straight articulation and the natural glissandos in your trombone section. Mark the score clearly to show where glides occur and where attacks should be clean.
- Let your Latin percussion players own their parts. Maracas and claves are not filler; their rhythmic precision anchors the whole ensemble's feel.
- Lock the syncopated rhythm with a clear pulse. The 3-2 son clave can shift around the beat easily. Have your rhythm section tap eighth notes aloud before ensemble rehearsals until it sits solidly.
- Balance trombones prominently without drowning the band's harmony underneath. This is their moment, but it still needs to sound like one band.
How to use it
Slot this into a concert that explores world music or Latin styles. It pairs naturally with other accessible pieces that celebrate individual sections. At 1:40, it fits comfortably into a concert focused on shorter, high-impact features or as a confident closer to a concert segment.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythm reading, specifically 3-2 son clave patterns
- Natural glissando execution on trombone
- Ensemble blend and balance within a featured section
- Introduction to Afro-Cuban and Latin music vocabulary
- Cross-section rhythmic coordination with non-pitched percussion