High School Advanced Solos
3rd through 6th year students; increased range and technical difficulty.
| composer: | Uber, David |
| title: | Petite Rhapsody for Trumpet |
| publisher: | Kendor |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | b" (optional d''') |
| description: | Petite Rhapsody was composed in 1977 for noted trumpet artist, Gerard Schwarz. Originally scored for solo trumpet and brass choir, the piece was later scored for concert band and for piano. Since the original solo part may be too difficult for the advanced student player, an easier part is provided as well. In this alternate part, cadenzas have been simplified and the overall range of the composition lowered. It is this version that is recommended for the Advanced High School level.
According to the cover notes: “The Rhapsody should be performed in a free, easy style but with strict adherence to all dynamic markings. The opening solo theme is to be played with a smooth legato, lyrical style.” The primary difficulties include the rapid finger-work, many accidentals, cadenzas, and interpretive requirements. These are also the opportunities provided by the piece for the developing musician. The piece itself contains several contrasting sections in a rather free-flowing form. |
| composer: | Turrin, Joseph |
| title: | Caprice |
| publisher: | Brass Music Ltd. |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | c#’” |
| description: | Caprice is a very accessible modern work that is also exciting and fun to play. It requires fast finger technique and an easy c#’’’, but it offers the opportunity to develop air flow throughout the rapid finger work. The piece consists of alternating fast and slow, melodic sections, ending with a rapid 16th note run up to the c#’’’. |
| composer: | Niehaus, Lennie |
| title: | Latin Holiday |
| publisher: | Kendor |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | e flat''' (optional g''') |
| description: | This is for the “lead” trumpet player who wants to show off his or her range and latin jazz styling within a solo with piano accompaniment. The piece features several fanfares, a nice melodic section, a contrasting 6/8 section, and lots of high notes! It is over 8 minutes in length, but it does provide several breaks, and it is not technically very difficult; the determining factor for the player will obviously be its range. |
| composer: | Handel, George F. (1685-1759); arranged: Fitzgerald |
| title: | Adagio and Allegro |
| publisher: | Presser |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | c’’’ |
| description: | This is a very attractive Baroque transcription which can serve as a good introduction to the Baroque literature; it consists of two distinct sections - as per the title - and contains opportunities for the teacher to add ornamentation (trills, mordents etc.). It is technically, musically, and physically (embouchure) challenging, but within the reach of a good high school player. www.temple.edu/music/composers/handel.html |
| composer: | Goeyens, Alphonse (1894-?) |
| title: | All 'Antica |
| publisher: | Southern |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | b flat’ |
| description: | Although written in the 20th century, this piece is in the classical style as its title infers. From the heroic beginning theme to the expressive middle theme, the piece is attractive and not overly difficult. We suggest observing the optional “cut” to delete a rather awkward section that does not seem to fit with the rest of the piece. The difficulties of this piece are in the sixteenth-note phrases which sit at the top of the staff; it is a very good introduction to the classical style for someone not yet ready for the Haydn and Hummell concerti |
| composer: | Fiocco, J.H. (arr. Arthur Frackenpohl) |
| title: | Aria and Rondo |
| publisher: | Kendor |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | b flat" (c''') |
| description: | As indicated by the title, this piece consists of two movements, the first being a lyrical “song”, the second being a contrasting, lively piece. The Aria begins simply, but then the melody becomes more ornate and quite technical, requiring not only good finger technique, but also fluid flexibility throughout the range. The Rondo is somewhat faster in tempo, but its technical requirements are similar to the Aria. It is obvious by the shape of the melody that Mr. Fiocco was a violin and keyboard player, as the 16th notes skip around in repetitive, arpeggiated figures which often hover in the range from c’’ to a’’. The piece is not easy, but the music is well worth the effort. |
| composer: | Clarke, Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945) |
| title: | The Southern Cross |
| publisher: | Witmaker & Sons |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | d’’’ |
| description: | The Southern Cross is one of only a few Clarke cornet-style solos not requiring multiple tonguing, therefore making it more accessible to the High School student. While the cadenzas take the range up to e-flat’’’, the soloist may easily edit out that part at will; the d’’’ in one of the later melodic sections could be edited around as well. As are all of the Clarke solos, Southern Cross is very dramatic, very rubato, and require much technique and a knowledge of the “proper” style. It is well worth the work! |
| composer: | Clarke, Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945) |
| title: | Carnival of Venice |
| publisher: | Warner Bros. |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | c’’’ |
| description: | This is one of the most famous cornet solos of all. Like most of its genre, it consists of an introduction, a melodic (folk tune) main theme, several technically challenging variations on that theme, and cadenzas. This version of Carnival is easier than the famous Arban version, but is still difficult. The main challenges include finger technique. |
| composer: | Charlier, Theo |
| title: | Solo de Concours |
| publisher: | Schott Freres |
| level: | High School Advanced / College |
| range: | |
| description: | As most French-style works, this piece is made up of several contrasting sections. It begins with a “decisive” theme, followed by several lyrical (yet technical) sections. The “Final” is dance-like, in 5/4, interspersed with various technical passages, including double-tonguing and trills, and ending with a chromatic scale and “ta da!” It is one of the more“Romantic”-sounding works for trumpet and is very enjoyable. |
| composer: | Bozza, Eugene |
| title: | Badinage |
| publisher: | Leduc |
| level: | High School Advanced |
| range: | b” |
| description: | The Badinage consists of several contrasing ideas: a light-hearted “giocoso,” a minor lyrical section, and several fanfare-like passages. The chief difficulties include use of double-tonguing, some rhythmic challenges, and the light, clear articulation required in all ranges. users.knoware.ni/users/jsmeets/b/bozza.htm |
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