Two Little Stars for Trombone and Piano: Trombone/ Euphonium, Solo with Piano, Book

Harris crafted this piece with the developing trombone player in mind, balancing musicality with technical accessibility. The straightforward solo line sits comfortably in the intermediate range while the piano part provides harmonic support without overwhelming the soloist. It's the kind of piece that builds confidence in young brass players without feeling like a study.

Two Little Stars has a gentle, accessible charm that never patronizes the performer. The melodies are straightforward and singable, with a character that sits somewhere between a warm character piece and a modest teaching work.

This solo is written for developing trombone and euphonium players who have mastered the basics of their instrument and are ready for their first performance piece. It works well for students in the 2-3 year range of study, whether in a band program or private studio setting.

• Establish a steady, lyrical tone from the opening phrase. The simplicity of the melody depends entirely on your ability to sustain warm, even sound across the range.
• Work closely with your pianist on the tempo and character; the piano accompaniment shapes the musical phrasing, so coordinate your breathing and phrase endings together.
• Shape the line with gentle dynamics rather than relying on accents. Let the natural contour of the melody guide your expressive choices.

Assign this as a recital solo for a developing brass student, or program it in a chamber concert alongside other solos from the LudwigMasters Brass Series to create a varied concert of accessible brass literature. It's also an ideal choice for a young soloist's first formal performance outside the band setting.

• Lyrical phrasing and breath control in sustained melodic passages
• Intonation and tone consistency across a comfortable range
• Ensemble awareness and coordination with piano accompaniment
• Performance confidence in a solo recital setting