See 50+ homogeneous brass editions for trumpet, horn and trombone ensembles and 75+ mixed brass ensemble publications with Charles Decker Music Press at Sheet Music Plus for inexperienced to advanced musicians with music ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary new works for trios, quartets, quintets, brass choir and brass band. Many of the mixed brass ensemble editions include alternate and substitute parts being alternate C trumpet parts for B-flat trumpet parts, flugelhorn/trumpet substitute for horn, horn substitute for trombone and treble clef euphonium substitute for trombone. To see our Music of Black Composers Series enter “Black Composers Series� in the search box at Charles Decker Music Press for 25 arrangements for mixed brass ensembles ranging from early jazz to symphonic works with composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, R. Nathaniel Dett, William Grant Still, Will Marion Cook, James Reese Europe, James Johnson and others.  

Use this link to Cherry Classics Music to see Richard Decker arrangements of Cherubini’s Sonata in F for Solo Horn and Wind Ensemble and Coleridge-Taylor’s Sea Drift for Trombone Octet.

This beautiful and moving setting by Johann Pachelbel of the hymn Lamb of God, Pure and Holy (O LAMM GOTTES, UNSCHULDIG) is arranged here for Brass Quartet with optional keyboard. Originally composed for organ, this work lends itself well to brass instruments and provides an opportunity for brass players to experience and enjoy some of Pachelbel's other music besides the Canon in D. In a secular setting, this work is an excellent introduction into Pachelbel’s organ works which were well-known by Johann Sebastian Bach and likely influenced his own compositions to some degree. For worship, this arrangement is particularly suitable for the Lenten Season, Holy Week, or any communion service. A transcription for Woodwind Quintet is available and can be played with this one. An edition for String Quartet or String Ensemble is also available, although in a different key. For more music and information, visit www.jubalslyre.com/music.

** For the complete pack of pieces in this series, get a great bulk saving at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/mixed-abilities-classroom-ensemble-pack-extra-value-bundle-of-music-for-school-groups-digital-sheet-music/20768644?ac=1&aff_id=559837 **

Children (and adults) who learn a musical instrument will always progress at different rates.Students also develop some of the many skills involved in instrumental playing faster than other skills.

The Mixed Abilities School Ensemble Series has the flexibility to allow pupils of different standards to play together in one ensemble (up to five parts). It also encourages students to develop improvisation skills by providing soloing opportunities within all parts, with suggested pitches for improvising.

Each piece has five different parts which are split into four ability levels as follows:

A – Range of about 5 notes, easy rhythms. B – Range of about 1 octave, basic rhythms. C – Range of about a 12th, some more difficult rhythms. D – Range of about 2 octaves, some rhythmic complexity.

This enables the teacher to select parts which are suitable for the standard of individual players in the group. As a general rule, the pieces have been composed as follows:

Part 1 – melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 2)

Part 2 – melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 1)

Part 3 – accompaniment (synchronises with Part 4)

Part 4 –accompaniment (synchronises with Part 3)

Part 5 – bass line (independent)

Each part also comes in a wide array of transpositions, clefs and pitches. Hence, almost any combination of instruments can play together in an ensemble of mixed abilities,including:

Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, mixed woodwind, trumpets, mixed brass (including brass band), violins, strings, keyboards/pianos, tuned percussion.

An ensemble using any combination of instruments (as is often found within schools) will work effectively as well.

Example: A quintet might be selected as follows:

1A (violin), 2C(trumpet), 3B (clarinet), 4B (tenor sax), 5D (trombone)

The melody in 1A would be very simple but would contrast nicely when passed to the more difficult 2C. Parts 3B and 4B will have quite a simple accompaniment between them, whilst the bass line on 5D will be more complex and rhythmically interesting. Parts can obviously be doubled up as well beyond five players.

Please note that the teacher of the ensemble should be careful to pick parts which are well-suited to the players’ abilities.

CRAZY LATIN! is the second piece in this series, and has additional parts for Latin percussion commonly found in the classroom. Suggested percussion rhythms are also provided with phrases by which students can remember the rhythms. You are obviously free to alter these in any way, or add additional instruments however.

Please listen to the mp3 file, which is an electronic example of the piece being played with glockenspiel on 1C, piano on 2B, xylophone on 3B, clarinet on 4A and 'cello on 5D.

Score and all parts are included here in a variety of pitches, clefs and transpositions. It is the complete package!

Printing and Copying

The purchaser may print or copy all pages of this resource as required in order to facilitate a performance, but must not distribute to others.

** For the complete pack of pieces in this series, get a great bulk saving at  https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/mixed-abilities-classroom-ensemble-pack-volume-2-extra-value-bundle-of-music-for-classrooms-and-school-ensembles-digital-sheet-music/20924154?ac=1&aff_id=559837**

Children (and adults) who learn a musical instrument will always progress at different rates.Students also develop some of the many skills involved in instrumental playing faster than other skills.

The Mixed Abilities School Ensemble Series has the flexibility to allow pupils of different standards to play together in one ensemble (up to five parts). It also encourages students to develop improvisation skills by providing soloing opportunities within all parts, with suggested pitches for improvising.

Each piece has five different parts which are split into four ability levels as follows:

A – Range of about 5 notes, easy rhythms. B – Range of about 1 octave, basic rhythms. C – Range of about a 12th, some more difficult rhythms. D – Range of about 2 octaves, some rhythmic complexity.

This enables the teacher to select parts which are suitable for the standard of individual players in the group. As a general rule, the pieces have been composed as follows:

Part 1 – melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 2)

Part 2 – melody / countermelody (alternates with Part 1)

Part 3 – accompaniment (synchronises with Part 4)

Part 4 –accompaniment (synchronises with Part 3)

Part 5 – bass line (independent)

Each part also comes in a wide array of transpositions, clefs and pitches. Hence, almost any combination of instruments can play together in an ensemble of mixed abilities,including:

Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, mixed woodwind, trumpets, mixed brass (including brass band), violins, strings, keyboards/pianos, tuned percussion.

An ensemble using any combination of instruments (as is often found within schools) will work effectively as well.

Example: A quintet might be selected as follows:

1A (violin), 2C(trumpet), 3B (clarinet), 4B (tenor sax), 5D (trombone)

The melody in 1A would be very simple but would contrast nicely when passed to the more difficult 2C. Parts 3B and 4B will have quite a simple accompaniment between them, whilst the bass line on 5D will be more complex and rhythmically interesting. Parts can obviously be doubled up as well beyond five players.

Please note that the teacher of the ensemble should be careful to pick parts which are well-suited to the players’ abilities.

IT'S TIME FOR REGGAE is the third piece in this series, and has typical characteristics of the style, including the off-beat rhythm in parts 3 and 4, and the bass line which becomes more fluid in the more difficult part 5s. You could also have a drummer play an authentic 'one-drop' rhythm with the kick and side-stick both on 2 and 4.

Please listen to the mp3 file, which is an electronic example of the piece being played with a typical setup.

Score and all parts are included here in a variety of pitches, clefs and transpositions. It is the complete package!

Printing and Copying

The purchaser may print or copy all pages of this resource as required in order to facilitate a performance, but must not distribute to others.