Trombone Ensemble Sheet Music by Howard J. Buss

Trombone or euphonium ensembles works are in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis. (An asterisk, "*" after the word "trombone" means that the part may also be played by a euphonium.)

AQUARIUS (2013) for three trombones*. The 2 movements, At the Glow of Dawn and Ocean Blue, explore a variety of sonic atmospheres and moods. (7’) Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3;Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

AVE VERUM CORPUS by W. A. Mozart, transcribed by Howard J. Buss for four trombones* or ensemble. This rendition of one of Mozart’s most sublime works makes an outstanding feature number for a recital as well as an appropriate musical offering in church. (3’30”) Grade II-III.
Sound smaple: Excerpt.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

BROM BONES for trombone octet. This riveting “tour de force” musically depicts the character and exploits of Washington Irving’s dashing prankster, Brom Bones, in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The musical ensemble consists of 2 trombone quartets, each comprised of three tenors and one bass. The work is in 5 movements:
   I. Overture
   II. The Smoke Out
   III. The Schoolhouse Caper
   IV. Ichabod’s Romance
   V. Night Encounter
Following the energetic and heroic Overture, in The Smoke Out tone clusters represent the buildup of smoke in Ichabod’s singing school. Chorale-like passages suggest the music of the singers in training. The movement ends in transition, as Brom Bones and his small band of pranksters gallop off to their next adventure. The Schoolhouse Caper, combines very aggressive and topsy-turvy passages with humorous, plodding interjections. Ichabod’s Romance begins as a beautiful unaccompanied ballad which is abruptly disturbed by a cacophony of brassy muted trombones, suggesting the whining of Brom’s mocking dog. Beautiful hymn-like sections serve as the backdrop to heartfelt solo passages, which are again disturbed by Brom’s annoying dog. The movement ends as it began, with the beautiful trombone solo. The intense final movement, Night Encounter, depicts Ichabod’s frightening and fateful run-in with the Headless Horseman, suspected by some to be Brom Bones in disguise. (14') Grade V-VI. Score Sample.pdf

Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

CANZONA by Florentio Maschera (1540-1584) transcribed by Howard J. Buss for four trombones* or ensemble. This late Renaissance work is in a stirring imitative style.
(2’30”) Grade III. score sample.pdf

Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

CROSSROADS(2011) for 4-part trombone choir and 8 percussion is dedicated to Tom Brantley and Robert McCormick. The University of South Florida Trombone Choir and Percussion Ensemble premiered it in Tampa, Florida in January, 2012. The 4 trombone parts may be performed with a quartet; however, it is desirable to have multiple players used on each part except in those areas where the score specifically specifies one player on a part for a particular passage."Somewhat contemporary sounding, with jazz and Latin influences, one's interest is held for the entirety. The two instrument families are well integrated throughout. Some sections are extremely lyrical in the percussion ensemble and rhythmic in the trombones, vice versa in others. This compositional technique allows for great clarity throughout the work. An enjoyable work for the performers and audience." -Susan Martin Tariq, Percussive Notes Magazine.
(15’40”) Grade V.
Additional Information: Percussion setup page.pdf General notes and instructions.pdf

Sound Samples: Excerpt_1.mp3, Excerpt_2.mp3, Excerpt_3.mp3, Excerpt_4.mp3

View at CROSSROADS YouTube Video

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

DRY BONES, the well-known African American spiritual (the foot bone's connected to the leg bone, the leg bone's connected to the...), for four trombones* (3 tenors and one bass) by Howard Buss. Multiple players may be used on each part to expand the ensemble. The introduction begins hymn-like, then breaks out in a jubilant jazzy section. This is followed by a more traditional rendering of the spiritual; however, as the music reaches its climax, the jazz "licks" from the introduction are brought back as counterpoint against the main melody of the spiritual. For a bit of humor, just as the work ends, there is a "tongue-in-cheek" plagal cadence.
(2’30”) Grade IV. score sample.pdf - Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3

Video on YouTube

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LEVI'S DREAM (2011) for trombone* quartet (3 tenors and one bass) or ensemble. The title refers to an imagined dream of Levi, the namesake of the Israelite Tribe. The Levites were known for their involvement in priestly duties and music. Much of the music has a distinctly Middle-eastern quality. The soulful nature of the slower sections is enhanced by the expressive, luscious ambience of the ensemble. Theis composition features 2 sections with original tunes in the style of Jewish folk songs. One is slow and contemplative, the other jubilant. This is an audience-friendly work appropriate for the concert hall or in a house of worship.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3 (7'40") Grade V.

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

ODYSSEY (1987) for trombone quartet (or ensemble) is scored for 3 tenor and 1 bass. (A tenor with an F-attachment may play the 4th part is no bass is available.) Bold fanfare sections contrast with beautiful chorale-like passages. The writing is idiomatic and the ranges are modest. (Part 1 ascends briefly to an optional high Cb and part 4 descends to a pedal G.)
(10’10”) Grade V. Sound sample.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

PRAYER (2015) for 12-part trombone ensemble is a beautiful, meditative work designed to be performed in a concert venue or as a musical offering in a house of worship. Its reverent quality is enhanced by the rich sonority and organ-like quality of the large trombone ensemble. The musical language is sophisticated, yet accessible to general audiences. It begins with a lyrical 12-tone melody that is symbolic of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The dodecaphonic reference also relates to the instrumentation: In the concluding section, the twelve pitches of the opening melody are presented with each player assigned to one pitch. A reverent atmosphere permeates the musical tapestry throughout. Prayer is accessible for amateur and high school-level players.
(5’10”) Grade III-IV. Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3 - Score Sample.pdf
(A version of this work for tuba-euphonium ensemble is on our tuba page.)

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

PRELUDE AND INTRADA (2007) for four euphoniums and/or trombones features lyrical writing and spirited rhythmic drive. The Prelude is an interesting combination of fanfare and lyrical sections as well as tonal and polytonal harmonies. The festive Intrada is in an ABA-Coda format and features crisp, energetic rhythms and lyrical contrapuntal writing. Multiple players may be used on each part to expand the ensemble.
(5’15”) Grade V. Score Sample.pdf
Sound samples: Prelude opening.mp3; Intrada opening,mp3; Intrada ending,mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

RICERCARE ON C by Andrea Gabrieli (1510-1586) for four trombones* or ensemble transcribed by Howard J. Buss. This late Renaissance work is written in a stirring imitative style. Particularly interesting are the meter changes involving metric modulations, a trait found in much of the dance music of the day.
(2’30”) Grade III. score sample.pdf - Sound sample: Excerpt.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SHOWDOWN for 10-part trombone choir was composed during the latter months of 2009 for Nathaniel Brickens, The University of Texas Trombone Choir, and the 2010 International Trombone Festival. This entertaining work is a musical depiction of two opposing groups of cowboys. Each group is comprised of a soloist and 4 “companions.” Following the initial fanfare, the groups individually showcase their musical prowess. Eventually they clash in a riveting sonic “gunfight.” (10’30”) Grade V.
Score Sample.pdf - Sound samples:Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Video on YouTube

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Award Winner! THE THREE SACKBUTEERS ENTER VALHALLA for trombone trio won the 2018 American Trombone Workshop’s National Composition Competition sponsored by the U. S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” In this fantasy piece the composer imagines the entrance of 3 sackbut players into the enormous hall of Valhalla. An improbable collage of specious ideas and historical anachronisms combine in dream-like manner and are embedded in the musical tapestry of this work. The sophisticated musical language of the composition combines with the programmatic fantasy implications and audience participation to create a rousing concert feature. For trios doing outreach concerts in the schools, it affords the opportunity to discuss the history of the trombone in a way that is fun and sure to engage the students.
(6’30”) Grade V. YouTube: In this performance a bass drummer was added to cover the foot drum (kick drum) part that one of the players is asked to use.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3, Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

TROMBONE GRAFFITI (2016) for trombone quartet or ensemble was dedicated to The American Trombone Quartet. While writing this work the composer envisioned trombonists creating graffiti, not in the usual manner with paint and chalk, but with sonic gestures. At times the music is characterized by bold, colorful swoops of sound, often with idiomatic glissandi. In other sections, staccato passages suggest a pointillist approach to creating the graffiti. Throughout, an undercurrent of edginess and electrifying tension permeates the music, as if to suggest the graffiti artists face the risk of getting caught in the act of producing their art. (7’14”) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

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Trombone and Euphonium Music Index (includes music for bass trombone)
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category:

Solo Trombone or euphonium- unaccompanied

Trombone or euphonium & one other instrument
(various combinations, including works with piano & electronic recording)

Trombone or euphonium with percussion ensemble

Trombone or euphonium ensembles

Trombone or euphonium in chamber music - trios (includes brass trios)

Trombones or euphoniums in chamber music - quartets (includes standard brass quartets)

Trombone in chamber music - quintets, sextets, and brass choir (includes standard brass quintets)

Trombone or euphonium and band

Howard J. Buss, Composer

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Trombone music and sheet music for euphonium and bass trombone, graded catalog.
Product description: Trombone, Euphonium, Bass Trombone: Solos, Duos, Ensembles, Chamber Music and Recordings