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composer:  Fitzgerald, Bernard (editor)
title: Italian Suite
publisher:  Presser
level:  Junior High / High School Intermediate
range: f"
description: This suite is comprised of four vocal works  in minor keys by four different Italian Baroque composers:

Allegro by Alessandro Scarlatti
Allegretto (Sebben, Crudele) by Antonio Caldara
Andante by S. DeLuca, and
Danza by Francesco Durante.

Each part has great melodic content without too much technical difficulty or high range.The first movement presents the biggest finger technique challenge, the second, the biggest musicianship challenge. If you are not interested in playing the complete suite, pair the first two or the last two.

composer:  Anderson, Leroy
title: A Trumpeter’s Lullaby
publisher: 
level:  Junior High/ High School Intermediate
range: a’ '
description: Leroy Anderson’s most-often-played pieces include his Sleigh Ride, Buglers’ Holiday, and Trumpeter’s Lullaby. The Lullaby consists of a very attractive melody that is not too technically difficult. It requires clear articulation and may be a good piece with which to learn double-tongue technique. It also contains one short, cadenza-like spot and one instance of triple-tonguing (at the end). What fun!

composer:  Bizet, Georges (arr. by Roland Brom)
title: Habanera
publisher:  Kendor
level:  Junior High
range: f#’’
description: This is an arrangement of a famous melody from the Bizet opera, Carmen. Because is is such a familiar melody, it should be easily accessible to most 2nd and 3rd year players. To play it in the proper style will require some coaching, but it gives the student the opportunity to be expressive and to explore an “exotic” style. The main difficulty is the somewhat complex rhythm found in a few spots; overall, the piece should be well received. (1:20)

composer:  Cimera, Jaroslav
title: Carnival Petite
publisher:  Belwin
level:  Junior High
range: g’’
description: Anyone who has ever hear the famous Carnival Variations by J. B. Arban or Herbert L. Clarke would recognize this simple version in similar, “virtuoso” cornet style. It begins with a short cadenza, followed by the famous Carnival melody and three variations upon that melody. Variation 1 consists of lots of scale-like 8th-note “runs;” the 2nd variation is features chromatic runs as well; and the 3rd variation is made up of 16th-note runs, ending with a short cadenza. This solo is for the technically gifted youngster who would love to play the adult version of Carnival. This is also a great opportunity for the student to experiment with the cornet-solo style.

composer:  Corelli, Arcangelo (1653-1713) (ed. by Maganini)
title: Suite in Bb Major
publisher:  Edition Musicus
level:  Junior High / High School Intermediate
range: b’’ (optional c’’’)
description: This suite is made up of six short pieces by Corelli: Sarabande, Interlude, Gavotte, Arioso, Allemanda, and Gigue. The Arioso is a lyrical piece, while the others are based upon traditional Baroque dances, of which, the Sarabande is also slow and melodic. In reference to the range requirements, the higher notes are indicated that they can be played down an octave in many cases, but the required high notes may present a challenge to younger students. The suite is definitely challenging, but musically very rewarding.

composer:  Corelli, Arcangelo (ed. by Ronald C. Dishinger)
title: Suite in Three Movements from Variations for Violin on themes of Tartini
publisher:  Medici Music Press
level:  Junior High / High School Intermediate
range: g"
description: In a three-movement, fast – slow – fast, format, this Baroque suite is musically well-constructed.  The first movement presents the opportunity to use “terraced dynamics” on its lively themes while the second movement is very lyrical and the third movement is dance-like.  Students often perform only the first two movements for solo festivals.

composer:  Fitzgerald, Bernard (editor)
title: English Suite
publisher:  Presser
level:  Junior High
range: f’’
description: This suite is comprised of five short pieces:

Prelude (British Grenadiers and Rule Britannia)
Aria (My Lovely Cecilia)
Pastorale (Greensleeves)
Andante (Polly Oliver)
Finale (The Jolly Miller and Begone Dull Care).

Most lists require the student to play two contrasting movements instead of all five. The range and technical levels are very much appropriate for the 2nd and 3rd year student, plus the traditional melodies are easily made musical by the young player. The Prelude (British Grenadiers and Rule Britannia) offers the biggest challenge to finger and articulation technique, but it is a favorite amongst students because it is simply fun.


composer:  Fote, Richard
title: Waltz for Juliet
publisher:  Kendor
level:  Junior High
range: f’’
description: Waltz for Juliet is a lyrical, jazz waltz of about 2:45 in length. Its accessible jazz harmonies will make it very attractive to the 2nd or 3rd year student.

composer:  Handel, George Frideric (arr. Bernard Fitzgerald)
title: Adagio and Allegro Marziale
publisher:  Presser
level:  Junior High
range: g"
description: The slow, melodic opening of this work sets the stage for the bouncy, march-like Baroque theme of the second section.  Before a Da Capo al Fine, there is another brief Adagio in a minor tonality.  This work has also been arranged for other brass instruments.  It can be a great introduction to the Baroque style and appeals to the mature Junior High student.

composer:  Handel, George Frideric (1685-1759), arr. by Forest L. Buchtel
title: Cantilena
publisher:  Kjos
level:  Junior High
range: g"
description: I always like younger students to get to play “real” music by “real” composers; here is the chance for young players to perform “real” music by a Baroque Era composer, George F. Handel, of Messiah fame. The word “cantilena” signifies a piece that is song-like, and this solo is definitely a lyrical piece well-suited for the junior high player. It is not technically nor rhythmically complex, but it offers the opportunity to develop musicianship. The primary difficulty is in the lack of rest for the player; therefore, endurance must be developed in order to successfully perform this piece. It is, however, a very pretty solo and worth the effort.

composer:  Handel, George Frideric (1685-1759), arr. by Clifford Barnes
title: Sound an Alarm
publisher:  Jack Spratt Music Co.
level:  Junior High
range: g"
description: This is one of my favorite pieces for the best of my junior high trumpeters. It is adapted from a da capo aria from Handel’s oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus. In 6/8 time, it features quite a few 16th notes which will challenge most junior high players, but it doesn’t have to be played so fast that it’s impossible. Range and endurance will be an issue for some players as the piece ventures up to g’’ several times, even near the end. I always like younger students to get to play “real” music by “real” composers; here is the chance for young players to perform “real” music by a Baroque Era composer, George F. Handel, of Messiah fame.

composer:  Irons, Earl D
title: Song of the Pines
publisher:  Southern
level:  Junior High
range: b flat"
description: This is a very attractive, cornet-style solo for the younger student. It begins and ends with short  cadenzas and consists of several contrasting sections.  The biggest challenges include the technique required to carry-off the cadenzas and the endurance / range required to hold  a  b flat" at the end.

composer:  Kaplan, David
title: Ancient Story (Classic Festival Solos Collection)
publisher:  Belwin Mills
level:  Junior High / Intermediate
range: a"
description: Ancient Story is made up of several contrasting sections to form a very attractive “story.”  Beginning with a cadenza, it goes on to a beautiful lyrical section including a syncopated area, on to a dance-like  “giocoso” section, on to a “czardas”-like dance, and ending with a heroic theme.  The main difficulty is in the range and agility required for the last section.  Because of the sections separation by piano interludes, the endurance factor is not too bad.  Overall, it is a lot of fun and provides lots of variety for the advanced Junior High player.

composer:  Mozart, W. A. (1756-1791), arr. by Jay Ernst
title: Mozart Sonatina
publisher:  Kendor Music
level:  Junior High / Intermediate
range: g’’
description: Once again, the student has the opportunity to play music by a “real” composer. This Sonatina, adapted from Mozart, consists of three movements: Allegro (quick and lively), Larghetto (slow and lyrical), and Menuetto (a dance in 3/4). Students usually play the 2nd movement with one of the faster movements instead of the entire work; I prefer to use the first two movements together. The 1st movement requires some quick fingering and tonguing, but it is very accessible. Since it has very little rest, I would suggest that the repeat be omitted. The 2nd movement is a gorgeous melody that is not too technically difficult, but there are some rhythms that will need explanation. The 3rd movement is fairly simple yet lively. It is fairly lengthy with its Da Capo al Fine. This, too, is one of my favorite solos.

composer:  Poot, Marcel
title: Humoresque
publisher:  Leduc
level:  Junior High
range: g"
description: This quirky little piece (1:40) presents rhythm challenges for the younger player, and the melodic material has a few skips which might pose a challenge as well, but it is a lot of fun to play.  (The Junior High set gets a kick out of the composer's name too!)  Since it is hard to find a modern piece for this difficulty-level, the Humoresque presents a rare opportunity for the confident youngster.

composer:  Walters, David L
title: Fantasy for Trumpet (from Classic Festival Solos)
publisher:  Belwin
level:  Junior High/ High School Intermediate
range: b flat'
description: This piece is march-like and heroic, yet melodic, in a style resembling that of the classical period. There are several rhythmic challenges involving 16th note triplets and double-dotted 8ths followed by 32nd notes, and there are a few grace-notes, but they are easily learned within the otherwise simple melodies. The difficulty of this piece is in the finger technique for the running 16th notes; they are mostly scale-like passages, and are really not too tough.

composer:  von Weber, Carl Maria (arr. by Willard and Gloria Musser)
title: Marcia Maestoso
publisher:  Kendor
level:  Junior High
range: g"
description: This little march features a catchy tune which repeats several times and a contrasting section in the minor key. The rhythms include dotted 8th notes and triplets, but they should not be a problem for many junior high players. The main difficulty is the range of the piece. While a lot of the melody is in the range from c’’ to g’’, the dynamics are mf to ff throughout the piece and must be played agressively anyway, which should help. (1:15)

composer:  Young, Gordon
title: Contempora Suite
publisher:  Belwin
level:  Junior High
range: a"
description: This is a suite of four dance movements: Prelude, Allemande, Sarabande, and Gigue.  Students usually perform only two contrasting movements: the Prelude and Sarabande are slow and melodic, while the Allemande and Gigue are faster-moving. 



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