Score/Parts PDF Previews

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SOLO BASS TROMBONE PART WITH PIANO REDUCTION

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 - Solo Bass Trombone Part + Piano Reduction PDF

ORCHESTRAL VERSION

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 - Score PDF

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 - Set of Parts PDF

SYMPHONIC BAND VERSION

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 - Score PDF

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 - Set of Parts PDF

Notes

Writing music is like creating abstract stories or movies; the various melodies and motifs are individual characters while the accompaniments are different settings where these characters develop and interact with one another.  As a visual person, I tend to form images in my mind whenever I’m creating music. As my compositions develop and unfold over time, my mind connects the various melodies and different sections in a way that (to me) makes sense as a cohesive narrative. This concerto for bass trombone and orchestra is derived from my 2019 work Quest, Op. 11, a three-movement quartet written for bass trombone and three percussionists. 

The opening movement is primitive in character, presenting a relentless, almost monolithic musical force. This is contrasted by a mysterious and churning middle section of rising and falling harmonies, evoking an atmosphere of tension and transformation. The second movement emerges slowly from silence. Its perpetually undulating “inner turmoil” motif, heard throughout, expands upon ideas introduced in the first movement. Bursts of emotion - akin to l’appel du vide - punctuate the central sections before the music returns to its opening material and dissolves into the void. The finale is a tour de force. Many of its melodies are light in character yet remain shrouded in darkness. Built upon interlocking rhythmic structures, the music drives inexorably toward a dramatic and powerful conclusion.

At the request of Darrin Milling (Principal Bass Trombone, São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra), Quest was later adapted into a concerto for bass trombone and symphonic band, titled Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 11a (Quest). This version was dedicated to his performance at McGill University in Montréal.

In 2024, Zoltan Kiss (of Mnozil Brass) requested an orchestral adaptation of the concerto’s third movement as a stand-alone concertino. At his request, the movement was revised to incorporate an extended slow introduction and a designated space for an open cadenza. That version was dedicated to his performance with the Polish Philharmonic Orchestra, and the expanded structure has subsequently been retained in the full concerto.

The present orchestral version (completed in 2025) is dedicated to Roderick Leonard for his performance with the Symphony of the Hills, conducted by Dr. Eugene Dowdy.

• Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 in D-Minor

  • I. Moderato con il peso

  • II. Andante con moto

  • III. Con moto

Instrumentation (orchestral version)

• Piccolo

• Flutes 1, 2

• Oboes 1, 2

• English Horn

• Clarinets in Bb 1, 2

• Bass Clarinet in Bb

• Bassoons 1, 2

• Contrabassoon

• Horns in F 1-4

• Trumpets in C 1-3

• Trombones 1, 2

• Bass Trombone

• Tuba

• Timpani

• Percussion 1 (Tam-tam*; Crash Cymbals; Wind Chimes)

• Percussion 2 (Bass Drum; Vibraphone)

• Percussion 3 (Suspended Cymbal; Glockenspiel; Snare Drum; Tam-Tam*)

• Percussion 4 (Tambourine; Tubular Bells)

  • *Tam-tam is shared between Percussion 1 and Percussion 3)

• Bass Trombone (Solo)

• Violin 1

• Violin 2

• Viola

• Violoncello

• Contrabass

Instrumentation (symphonic band version)

• Bass Trombone (solo)

• Piccolo

• Flutes 1, 2

• Oboe

• Bassoon

• Clarinets in Bb 1-3

• Bass Clarinet

• Contrabass Clarinet

• Alto Saxophones 1, 2

• Tenor Saxophone

• Baritone Saxophone

• Trumpets in Bb 1-3

• Horns in F 1-4

• Trombones 1, 2

• Bass Trombone

• Euphonium

• Tuba

• Contrabass

• Percussion 1 (Tam-tam*; Crash Cymbals; Wind Chimes)

• Percussion 2 (Bass Drum; Vibraphone)

• Percussion 3 (Suspended Cymbal; Glockenspiel; Snare Drum; Tam-Tam*)

• Percussion 4 (Tambourine; Tubular Bells)

  • *Tam-tam is shared between Percussion 1 and Percussion 3)

• Timpani

Score Videos

What do I get when I order Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 11a?

Solo Bass Trombone & Piano Version

• If you order the solo bass trombone part with piano accompaniment, you will receive the solo part and piano reduction as individual PDF documents.

• Once your order has been processed, you'll be emailed a link where you can download the sheet music immediately. You can download the files individually or download everything at once.

Orchestra or Symphonic Band Version

• The orchestra and symphonic band versions are available as digital rentals.

• Once your order has been processed, you'll be emailed a link where you can download the rental agreement form. If you'd like to review or complete the agreement in advance, you may download it here: (rental form for orchestra version) (rental form for symphonic band version)

• After the completed rental agreement has been received and approved, you will be emailed the conductor's score and complete set of parts for your ensemble.

• The score and parts are licensed for use by the purchasing ensemble and may be printed as needed for rehearsals and performances during the rental period specified in the agreement.

If you have any questions about the rental process or need materials for additional performances, please contact me here.