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I understand this has been set for brass quintet, although I don't know who did it. All I do know is that I'll be playing it in a few weeks with minimal prep, and I've never seen it. Not sure if/when I'll get to look at it. I'm intimately familiar with the Grainger setting, but have no idea what to expect from a quintet version (or versions, if there are more than one). Have any of you performed it? What insight can you provide?

The Michael Allen arrangement is pretty standard. Some notes on it:

1) Tempo is listed as eighth note = 72-104, fairly wide range
2) Key of F Major, range for tuba is C below the staff to fourth line F...no rhythm shorter than an eighth note

From a technique perspective the tuba part is not challenging, but pieces like this are always a musical challenge for any group. Shaping phrases and matching the beginnings/endings of notes are crucial in this arrangement (IMO) - there are also several opportunities to pull back and push forward the tempo. Dynamics are also of the utmost importance.

Hope this gives you a little insight. If you have any specific questions on the Allen arrangement feel free to send me an email and I will dig out my score and help you in any way I can.

Oh, and the trombone player needs to be able to read tenor clef

jeopardymaster wrote:I understand this has been set for brass quintet, although I don't know who did it. All I do know is that I'll be playing it in a few weeks with minimal prep, and I've never seen it. Not sure if/when I'll get to look at it. I'm intimately familiar with the Grainger setting, but have no idea what to expect from a quintet version (or versions, if there are more than one). Have any of you performed it? What insight can you provide?

There more versions out there than I care to count, but I wouldn't sweat it. The part will probably be straight ahead and as long as you know the tune you will be golden.

Good luck and more and more in the "real" world there is little to no rehearsal before going live. I guess it can be stressful, but kind of exciting as well! Enjoy it while you can...

Now back to work,

Thanks. I usually don't sweat it, but this is with folks I don't know and don't want to embarrass myself in front of. I just wanted to make sure that there are no landmines - like, say, a tessitura that clearly requires F or Eb. I know there is a setting of Lincolnshire Poesy that is a blast to play on Eb but isn't nearly as much fun on a contrabass.

I have an arrangement by Paul Hanna of the Tallahasse Brass Quintet that has a tuba solo for the first 8 measures or so introducing the melody.