Junior High Solos
2nd and 3rd year students; more complex, but limited range.
| 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. |
| 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: | 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: | 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: | 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: | 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: | 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: | 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 (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: | 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. |
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