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I just received my music for the regional Honor Band, and this song happened to throw me quite a surprise. I had the regular tuba part, but behind it was a part that read "Solo Tuba!" I checked other parts in the band, and it looks to me that this song is actually one long tuba solo! Can anyone verify this? If it is, then this would be my first public solo performance! It's not too hard, but it certainly isn't easy. Thanks, Aaron H.

I believe that this piece has the solo written for tuba, euphonium, sax, and other instruments. The director just has to choose who plays it. The solo is pretty easy as I remember. I believe that it is dedicated to Roger Behrend, who is a euphonium player, so I think that it is most appropriate to be played on euphonium.

"In a Gentle Rain" was a movement from the Willson Suite that was commisioned for Roger Behrend of the Navy Band, like mentioned above. This popular movement was rescored for either Wind Band with soloist or with the option to have different instruments playing the solo at different times. I believe that there are three or four distinct sections to the piece. They included "solo" sheets for all of the instruments - to make it more user friendly to play! But, yes - - - it does sound best on euphonium. <j/k>

Oh, rats! I thought I was going to have my first feature in the bag! I forgot to post in the original that the guest director at this year's Honor Band is Robert W. Smith himself, so I guess I'll just have to impress him with my soloing abilities, (the little that I have, at least).
Aaron H.