Trumpets of Symphony Hall: Bassoon
Trumpet Section Feature
Arr. Todd Stalter
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015328_B1
$3.00
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Description
Here is a medley that provides a great opportunity to let your trumpet section be exactly what they want to be---the stars of the show! Performing this delightful arrangement of familiar symphonic themes by Beethoven, Mozart, Dvorák, Haydn, Bach, Offenbach, and Brahms works very well with the trumpets standing in front of the band, but is also effective with them seated within the ensemble. A unique way to vary your concert program and to introduce students to some of the finest orchestral literature, this arrangement will undoubtedly be a highlight for both performer and audience alike! (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Trumpets of Symphony Hall: Bassoon 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:
Challenger Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
122
SKU:
00-PC-0015328_B1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Todd Stalter
Todd Stalter built his reputation over 34 years as Director of Bands at Eureka High School in Illinois, where his ensembles earned statewide recognition: the marching band captured 16 Class 1A state championships, the concert band consistently received Superior ratings at IHSA contests, and his pep band performed at multiple state tournament finals. His groups performed in Chicago's Orchestra Hall and at Walt Disney World, won festival championships at the Cotton and Liberty Bowls, and earned him induction into the Illinois State Marching Band Championships Hall of Fame.
As a conductor, Stalter has led All-State Bands in Georgia and Delaware and conducted numerous honor and district bands throughout the region. He remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, and composer, presenting at state music educator conferences and contributing to the "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" series published by GIA. He holds degrees in music education and trumpet performance from Illinois State University, where he studied with members of the President's Own United States Marine Band and prominent conducting faculty.
Why we love this
This medley celebrates the trumpet section without demanding technical pyrotechnics, making it ideal for building section confidence and audience connection at the Grade 1.5 level. The arrangement draws from seven classical masters, giving your band a sophisticated concert moment that feels both accessible and genuinely musical. Whether your trumpets stand front-and-center or remain seated, this novelty piece rewards solid fundamentals and delivers the kind of crowd-pleasing lift that reminds students why they love performing together.
What to expect
A celebration of classical elegance wrapped in a concert band arrangement that feels both respectful to the source material and genuinely fun. The medley format lets familiar melodies from Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms shine through accessible orchestration, creating moments of clarity and lightness that contrast nicely with heavier repertoire on the same program.
Who it's for
Band directors seeking a straightforward vehicle to highlight their trumpet section at a concert without stretching beyond Grade 1.5 technical demands. This works equally well for school concert bands, community bands with newer players, and festival or clinic settings where a fun, recognizable piece builds morale.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the trumpet section's volume carefully during tutti passages; young players often crack notes when pushing too hard. Encourage them to lead through resonance, not force.
- If staging trumpets in front, mark clear sightlines between the section leader and other band members to maintain ensemble control across the longer medley.
- Mark phrase directions and breath points in parts before rehearsal so the trumpet section can shape each thematic excerpt with intent and unity.
- Establish a steady internal pulse during transitions between themes; the 2-minute-10-second runtime moves quickly, and rhythmic clarity keeps the medley flowing.
How to use it
Place this early to mid-program when your audience is settled and the band has warmed up, but before heavier dramatic works. It pairs well alongside other Grade 1.5-2 pieces and serves as a natural bridge between accessibility and sophistication, introducing less experienced band members and younger audience members to beloved symphonic literature in an engaging format.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing trumpet section blend and intonation across multiple thematic variations
- Reading and executing articulation and dynamic changes that define classical style
- Sustaining focus and ensemble coordination through connected medley sections
- Performing as a featured section while maintaining rhythmic cohesion with the full band