The Beginning Brass Quintet Series is designed for younger brass players getting their first experience with a
small ensemble (and weekend warriors who may not have the time to keep their chops at a professional level and
professionals who like to keep some less taxing arrangements in their concert book).
Instrument ranges are written to Level 2 guidelines, and there are no sixteenth note rhythms (except "Go Tell It
On the Mountain" which does use a dotted eighth/sixteenth rhythm several times). Many phrases begin with
several instruments starting in unison to help young players feel confident and find their partials before moving
into harmony with the rest of the quintet. These arrangements are very straightforward, not too lengthy, and
use a minimum of close harmonies (in other words, the French horn and trombone won't spend the whole chart a half
step away from each other). Despite these guidelines, the pieces all sound very professional and are suitable
for any concert setting.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a straightforward version of the spiritual and also cleverly combines eight
bars of "Deep River" with the melody. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen is a lovely chorale style version of the hymn with some traditional
harmony, and some close, more modern harmony. This arrangement also gives the young quintet a chance to deal
with fermatas occurring within a piece. Wade in the Water is built over a rock tuba line and is a lot of fun to play. Amazing Grace is a flowing, chorale style version of the hymn with some thick harmonies. Go Tell It On The Mountain is sort of a jazzy/bluesy take on the spiritual that would still be appropriate
for a relaxed church service
Listen to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
Listen to Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen.
Listen to Wade in the Water.
Listen to Amazing Grace.
Listen to Go Tell It On The Mountain.
Check out a concert performance of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/LoLEYOUge_Y
Check out a cocktail hour performance of "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/W49tS1NUWmY
Check out a concert performance of "Wade in the Water" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/fwtOkIE0cII
Check out the other selections in the "5 Easy" series on sale here.
5 Easy Christmas Classics
5 Easy Christmas Classics #2
5 Easy Classical Favorites
5 Easy Dixieland Standards
5 Easy Dixieland Standards #2
5 Easy Scott Joplin Rags
5 Easy Stephen Foster Songs
3 Methods of Delivery
Download the arrangement from the link in your
immediate confirmation e-mail
as an Adobe PDF file and pay no shipping fee!
Receive the arrangement as an
e-mail attachment. A $2 handling fee will be included.
(May take 1-2 days.)
