Composer: Scarlatti, D Arranger: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Brass Quintet Instruments: 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone and Tuba Genre: Baroque
This delightful work was originally composed for keyboard by Domenico Scarlatti around the year 1754 and was entitled Sonata in E Major K. 380 (Longo 23). This transcription for brass quintet preserves the essential traits of the composer’s unique style, including his compositional use of register with florid treble parts and a strictly functional, supportive bass. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Euphonium, Tuba Genre: Folk music
with Orchestra: In this one movement composition, the euphonium and tuba are treated as equal partners as they traverse a wide variety of sonic atmospheres. Energetic and sometimes fiery sections surround a beautiful and lyrical central part. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Solo and Wind Band Instruments: Tuba Genre: Contemporary
"Reflections on the Last Post" for tuba and band (or wind ensemble) by Howard J. Buss was inspired by The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. It honors the thousands of soldiers who died to free Belgium from the Germans in WWI. The Last Post Ceremony was first held on July 1928 and has been performed every night since November 11, 1929 at the Menin Gate Memorial, except during the years of the German occupation of Ypres from May 20, 1940 to September 6, 1944. During the occupation the ceremony was continued at the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England. The composition develops the “Last Post” bugle call, which is performed near the beginning of the ceremony. The work also has stirring sections signifying the youthfulness and vitality of those who fought and died on the Ypres battlefields This work was winner of the Composition Competition of the U.S. Army Band’s 2019 Tuba-Euphonium Workshop and will be used for the workshop’s 2020 performers’ competition. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Percussion, Trombone Genre: Contemporary
An evocative, entertaining work in which both performers recite the text during performance. Cast in 4 movements: Boomers!, Thoughts of Grey, Trombone Magic, and Wild Nights, it addresses humankind’s relationship to technology in the modern world. The instrumentation includes tomtoms, cymbals, wood block, wind chimes, tam-tam, bell tree, triangle, bass drum, tambourine, hi-hat, whip, vibraslap, bells and vibraphone. Commissioned by and premiered at the 1998 International Trombone Festival. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Electronics, French Horn, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
INTERSTELLAR for horn, tuba and electronic recording by Howard J. Buss, in 3 movements, Reaching Beyond, Lonely and Turbulence, is part of a series of works by the composer inspired by space travel and exploration. The recording (CD included with the sheet music) contains the sounds of traditional instruments, electronic effects, and actual sounds from space collected by NASA. Learn More
Composer: Vogel, Roger C. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
A picturesque work in 6 movements: The Sun, The Full Moon, Shooting Stars, Panets, Aurora Borealis, and UFO's. The movements may be performed individually or in any grouping. Learn More
Composer: Vogel, Roger C. Instrumentation: Brass Quintet Instruments: 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone and Tuba Genre: Contemporary
Musical “cascades” rush forth from one another throughout in this exciting new work. Cascades is divided into three main sections. A fast energetic opening eventually gives way to a slower section before the opening mood returns in increasing intensity to the rousing conclusion. This accessible composition makes an outstanding contest piece, feature number, or because of its character, a dashing encore. Learn More
Composer: Frank, Robert Instrumentation: Brass Quintet Instruments: 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone and Tuba Genre: Contemporary
The title was inspired by the term from Star Trek where warp engines would bend time and space to propel the ship at incredible speeds. Exploring relationships between time and space in a musical sense, this work begins with motives and fragments free-floating in space. These gradually build in energy and motion until coming into phase with one another. After this cadence, a motor section expands and develops the previous free-floating motives over driving, repeated patterns. As the speed increases, these motives fade in and out of phase with each other until the motives come back into phase at "warp speed" in the exciting finish. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Quartet Instruments: Trombone Genre: Contemporary
Composed for and premiered at the 1994 International Trumpet Guild Conference. It opens with a stirring fugue (the percussionist performs the subject on the xylophone). Following the opening section are an intriguing series of passages featuring contrapuntal writing and the use of ostinati. The work culminates in an intense and exciting finale. Rhythmically and harmonically, the music is influenced by jazz. Percussion: 2 suspended cymbals, temple blocks, tam tam, 5 tomtoms, and finger cymbals. The percussion writing employs primarily 2 mallet technique with some use of 4 mallets on the xylophone in a passage of repeated eighth note chords.Rendezvous was first performed on June 18, 1994 during the International Trumpet Guild Conference hosted by the University of Illinois, Urbana with percussionist David Collier and trumpeters James Ketch, Charles Gates, Roy C. Griffen and Craig Hurst. Learn More
Composer: Browning, Zack Instrumentation: Solo and Piano Instruments: Bass Trombone, Piano, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
with Piano: Hard-driving funk and off-beat reggae passages are contrasted with lyrical lines derived from a twelve-tone set. This unusual combination of styles creates an energetic and volatile setting for the performers, who must switch from one style to another within the course of the composition. The result is an entertaining and memorable work which is fun to perform. For the Funk of It was written for and premiered by Fritz Kaenzig of the University of Michigan. Learn More
Makes an exciting and colorful contrast on any program. This is music with thrust, intensely alive. Percussion distribution - Perc. 1: Three cymbals, tom toms (5), vibraphone, temple blocks, iron frying pan, cow bell and brake drum; Perc. 2: Maracas. “An excellent addition to the chamber music program.” - Percussive Notes Magazine Learn More
Composer: Vogel, Roger C. Instrumentation: Solo Instruments: Bass Trombone, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
unaccompanied: Outings was written for the British bass trombonist Jonathan Warburton, who premiered the work on March 1, 2013 at St. Martin's in the Bullring in Birmingham, England. This accessible work is in two short, contrasting movements: Stroll, and Jaunt. Will works on tuba as well. Learn More
In 3 movements : Jazz Waltz, Slow Dance, and Irish Jig. In this charming and entertaining work the composer envisions two people dancing with one another. The "lead" in each dance is shared in alternation between the two instrumentalists. The first movement, Jazz Waltz, is in ABA form with the middle section being a waltz in 4/4. The melody is introduced by the bassoon (or trombone) and is passed back and forth throughout. In the enchanting second movement, Slow Dance, the musical material undergoes continuous development with the equality of the parts being paramount. The energetic final movement, Irish Jig, opens with an intriguing mixed meter section which leads to the rousing jig. It concludes with an exciting and frenzied accelerando and fugue. This work is fun to perform and has a great audience appeal! The clarinet and trombone version is recorded on the CD Dances and Dreams [Mark Records 8290-MCD] Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Trio Instruments: Bassoon, Flute, Oboe Genre: Contemporary
Was composed during 2009, a time when The Great Recession held its powerful grip much of the world, and uncertainty continued to build within American society. There was a general sense that the prosperity of the past may never return, and that the future may bring even more hardships. As the seemingly endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wore on, many did not expect peace to return in the foreseeable future. Yet, life went on. The music of Turbulent Times suggests the ebb and flow of the intense uncertainty felt by many with the more pleasant aspects of everyday life. Following the lyrical and plaintive introduction, stormy passages give way to sections of relative tranquility, only to reappear. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Soprano Sax, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
Dedicated to tubist Jay Hunsberger. This colorful composition is cast in 3 movements - To Bop or Not to Bop, Sounds from the Cool Smoke, and Hotish. The composer states, “ In Three Jazzicals it was not my aim to create a specific hybrid style by synthesizing jazz and modern classical music; rather, my intent was to systematically strip away the fundamental elements of jazz to explore at what point the music ceases being jazz and becomes classical. The style of Three Jazzicals is the resultant this procedure. It is understood that because the subject of what constitutes jazz (there are so many kinds) is so complex, depending upon the background and views of the listener, Three Jazzicals will sound jazzy (in varying degrees) to most, and mostly classical to some.” The instruments employed have been traditionally used in jazz. However, stripped away is the rhythm section; traditional chord progressions; melodic, rhythmic and formal clichés; and improvisation. Among the elements kept is the allowance for personal expression through each player’s tone, inflections, and articulations. The players are specifically asked not to swing at any time. Learn More
Composer: Buss, Howard J. Instrumentation: Duet Instruments: Clarinet, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
Dedicated to tubist Jay Hunsberger. This colorful composition is cast in 3 movements - To Bop or Not to Bop, Sounds from the Cool Smoke, and Hotish. The composer states, “ In Three Jazzicals it was not my aim to create a specific hybrid style by synthesizing jazz and modern classical music; rather, my intent was to systematically strip away the fundamental elements of jazz to explore at what point the music ceases being jazz and becomes classical. The style of Three Jazzicals is the resultant this procedure. It is understood that because the subject of what constitutes jazz (there are so many kinds) is so complex, depending upon the background and views of the listener, Three Jazzicals will sound jazzy (in varying degrees) to most, and mostly classical to some.” The instruments employed have been traditionally used in jazz. However, stripped away is the rhythm section; traditional chord progressions; melodic, rhythmic and formal clichés; and improvisation. Among the elements kept is the allowance for personal expression through each player’s tone, inflections, and articulations. The players are specifically asked not to swing at any time. Learn More