U.Play.Plus: Pops: Trombone/Baritone/Bassoon/Tuba (Parts A & D) Book

This book gives lower brass and woodwinds genuine melodic and harmonic responsibility in contemporary pop music. Rather than relegating these voices to rhythmic padding, López writes parts that feel essential to the arrangement, which makes students actually want to come to rehearsal.

Contemporary, energetic, and inclusive. Whether you're exploring the infectious rhythm of 'Billie Jean,' the punk swagger of 'Blitzkrieg Bop,' or the soaring emotional pull of 'You Raise Me Up,' these arrangements bring recognizable hits to life with straightforward part-writing that feels both authentic and rewarding to play.

Mixed ensembles with trombone, baritone, bassoon, and tuba players who need accessible pop repertoire that keeps non-traditional melody instruments musically engaged. This book works for directors programming concerts where student interest in contemporary music runs high but flexibility and simplicity are essential.

• Balance the top line (Part A) with Part D so the melody reads clearly while the harmony supports it without crowding the texture.
• Tap into the rhythm section accompaniment during early rehearsals to lock the groove; once the ensemble absorbs the pocket, you can pull back and let the band drive the pulse.
• Treat the cue notes as safety nets, not permanent solutions. Have players learn the full harmony lines so ensemble members can cover for absent instruments without scrambling.
• Match articulations between the melody and harmony parts to create a unified sound, especially in the rock and pop grooves where precision matters.

Open a concert with a medley of these arrangements to demonstrate your ensemble's versatility and appeal to audiences who love hearing songs they know. The pieces work equally well as standalone selections in winter or spring concerts, or as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire during a curriculum unit on style and arranging.

• Reading and balancing two-part harmony in a lead/support relationship
• Maintaining groove and rhythmic accuracy in pop and rock idioms
• Ensemble awareness across mixed instrumentation (brass and woodwind blending)
• Responding to rhythmic accompaniment tracks and cue notes
• Articulation clarity in contemporary styles