Brass Quintet and Concert Band

[a2ba4u]

There are a few tunes out there, but the only one that I have any experience with is Eric Ewazen's "Shadowcatcher." Here's the scoop as it relates to your query:

THE GOOD:

1. It's tonal...just like every other contemporary Ewazen piece.
2. Band parts aren't difficult.
3. Would work nicely on a pops concert.
4. The piece has something to do with Native American ceremonies (I don't have the program note in front of me), so one could conceivably use it on a patriotic program.

THE BAD:

1. The whole work is really too long. 4 movements ~28 minutes total You'd have to pick and choose or figure out some cuts.
2. The tuba part is nasty. The work was written for the American Brass Quintet, so the fifth part is really a bass bone part. Lots of skipping around in the range, mostly in and above the staff, and a few high F's and G's for good measure. Other parts aren't as bad, but there are some tricky ensemble sections scattered throughout the piece that will probably require some group shedding.
3. The music is pretty lame overall. I know I'm probably offending the EE fans on the board, but the piece is quite forgettable and sounds very much like everything else that he has ever written. That said, I do think that the last 32 bars or so of the final movement make a very effective ending.

As usual my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it, so proceed at your own risk.

Kyle

[Bill B]

There is an arrangement of "That's a Plenty" for quintet and band out there. It's based on a Canadian Brass arrangement by Luther Henderson, adapted for band by John Wasson. The Band parts are not difficult and the quintet isn't all that hard either. Published by Brassworks, I believe, don't know if it is still in print.

[ken k]

American Fanfare by John Wasson, written for the Dallas Brass.

Don't know how available it is anymore. There is a stand alone band arrangement too, but I think it is out of print. We also did a marching band arr. of it about 15 years ago, Probably also POP.

I played the tuba in teh quintet of the band/quintet version about 10 years ago, so i can't recall the difficulty level of the band parts, but i don't think it is beyond a typical HS band level, grade 3-ish.

ken k

[Chuck(G)]

I haven't dug it out in awhile, but isn't there a CD on Crystal called "The Brass and the Band" with the Chicago Chamber Brass and the Dallas Wind Symphony? Might give you a few ideas.

[pgiampi1]

i could be wrong, but isn't there some sort of arrangment of the carnival of venice for brass quintet and band?

as a sidenote, i don't find shadowcatcher to be as forgettable as the ewazen works for band. same thing with his brass quintets...i find it to be the most interesting and driven. anyone else?

[quinterbourne]

I've done the "Sousa Collection" arranged for brass quintet and concert band by Howard Cable. It's a medley of 3 or 4 (of the most popular) Sousa marches.

The arrangement is actually written so that it may be played 3 ways: 1) full band, 2) brass choir with band or 3) brass quintet and band.

For example... the trumpet 1 has some parts marked "brass quintet/ensemble" and other parts "tutti." The band members only play the tutti parts.

Band parts are easy, solo parts are easy. Not a challenge, not a huge showcase piece for the soloists... but then there's not a lot to choose from.

* You might be able to find other similar music from the Canadian Brass. Give them a call.

You can buy the band version here:
http://www.canadianbrassstore.com/hl-8721374.html

This will probably fit your "patriotic/americana" preference... it includes Stars and Stripes Forever.

There's also an arrangement for just brass quintet
http://www.canadianbrassstore.com/hl-50480323.html