Ensembles of Six or More Players

To download the sheetmusic in PDF format, click on the PDF icon. To listen to a midi file of the piece, click on the little guy playing the tuba.

Unless otherwise stated, the pieces are scored for two cornets, tenor horn, baritone/trombone, euphonium and Eb bass. Some of the pieces work well for larger groups doubling parts.

We appreciate your comments on the compositions and arrangements.

Abendlied by Josef Rheinberger
Six players but a flexi-set is provided, enabling the group to be doubled or tripled.
Thisis ideal for training groups in expressive playing. Scored for two (or three) Bb cornets, flugel, tenor horns, baritones, trombones and Eb bass.
Quite easy and all parts are set in a comfortable range for intermediate players.
Duration: 2'15"

Adagio by Edvard Grieg
Sextet. Based on the opening of the slow movement from Grieg's piano concerto, this sextet is ideal for training groups in expressive playing.
Scored for Bb cornet, flugel, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass to allow different colours when the same theme appears.
Not very easy as some instruments have an extended range. Duration: 1'30"

AS YOU LIKE IT by Edward German, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. Mr.Jones' serious music does not deserve the oblivion that it enjoys today. This arrangement is based on the piano duet version of three dances from the incidental music, written in 1898.
Scored for two Bb cornets, Eb horn, baritone horn, euphonium and Eb bass. Extra parts supplied for french horn and lower parts in BC
Some parts are very easy but cornet parts have some challenges. Excellent concert pieces which stand on their own and suitable for junior contests.
Total playing time, including breaks: About 9'30"

Woodland Dance
Mysterious and charming little march.
Duration: 2'40"

Children's Dance
A jaunty romp that lopes along. Quite easy, except for some high notes in the cornet parts.
Duration: 2'30"

Rustic Dance
A polka-like dance morphs into a jig. The movement ends in a wild accelerando. There are sudden dynamic changes throughout.
Duration: 4'15"

Aus Meines Herzens Grunde by Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Octet. This beautiful and unpredictable pastorale, based on one of JS Bach's favourite tunes from the Lutheran hymn book, is a test of gentle and harmonious playing.
Scored for soprano, Bb cornet, flugel (or 2nd cornet), Eb horn, baritone, euphonium, Eb and Bb basses but euphonium and basses are mostly doubling so could be played by 6, 7 or 8. Duration: 2'20". Not difficult.

Bourree from Suite No.4 by JS Bach, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. The third and fourth orchestral suites are dominated by brass so it is not surprising that they work so well on modern brass instruments.
Set for soprano cornet, two Bb cornets, tenor horn, euphonium and Eb tuba, this movement gives everyone plenty to do. Six strong players required.
Duration: 3 minutes

BROOK GREEN SUITE by Gustav Holst, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. Arranged from the original manuscript, this little suite for string orchestra translates well to brass.
Scored for Eb cornet, two Bb cornets, Eb horn, euphonium / baritone and Eb bass. Not very difficult, though the Dance will offer challenges.
Total duration: around 7 minutes with breaks.

1. Prelude
The bass part was written for a beginner who could only play a scale, hence the repeated downward run. Duration: 1'45"

Canzonetta from "Years of Pilgrimage" by Franz Liszt, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. Set for two Bb cornets, horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb tuba (or similarly pitched instruments).Alternative versions supplied for lower parts.
This is a jaunty little march in ternary form that suits junior contests and makes a great item for concerts.
Not difficult (except for 1st Cornet high notes) and a lot of fun to play.
Duration: 2'50"

CONCERTO GROSSO RV 565 by Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by James Moule
Septet. Transcribed from the organ transcription by J.S. Bach, this piece is suitable for championship performances. Scored for soprano, two Bb cornets, Eb horn, baritone horn, euphonium and Eb bass. Quite difficult for all players. A full band version is available on this site.
Total duration: At least 10'30"
1st Movement - A mysterious Andante is followed by a lively fugue.
Duration: 5 minutes

Cortege from "Petite Suite" by Claude Debussy, arranged by James Moule
Six players. Transcribed from the duo-piano score, this thrilling and sensitive piece is suitable for concerts and contests. Scored for three cornets, Eb horn, euphonium and Eb bass. Moderately difficult, especially for 1st Cornet.
Duration: 3'30"

The Dew of May by Jean Mouton
Six players. Based on the song "The Dew of the Month of May", this 500 year old sextet is excellent for junior groups.
It is pitched comfortably and teaches independent counting. Sounds good in a reverberant hall.
Scored for two cornets, three baritones / trombones and either Eb bass or bass trombone.
Duration: 2'20"

Etude Op.2 No.1 by Alexander Scriabin, arranged by James Moule
Six players. Set for Eb Cornet, Bb cornet, Eb Horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb Bass. This piano piece, written when Scriabin was a teenager, remains one of his most played works. Though technically straightforward, except for a few high notes, it is difficult to "bring off" as it requires sensitivity and great communication among players to achieve the required rubato. Listen to Evgeny Kissin on YouTube to acquire the right approach.
Duration: 2'35"

French Military March by Camille Saint-Saens, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. Set for Eb Cornet, 2 x Bb Cornet, Eb Horn, Baritone, and 4-valve Eb Tuba with extra parts for French Horn, Baritone BC and Bb Tuba. Saint-Saens entrusted his pupil, Gabriel Faure, with the task of transcribing "Suite Algerienne" for two pianos. It is this version that is the basis of this arrangement.
Everyone has a lot of work and there are some challenging bits. Excellent for concerts or contests.
Duration: 5'15"

Gigue (3rd movement) from Brandenburg Concerto No.1 by J.S. Bach, arranged by James Moule
Octet. Also used in Cantat BWV 207, this is young Bach in a jovial mood.
Scored here for soprano cornet, three Bb cornets, flugel horn, Eb horn, euphonium and Eb bass, there is very little "doubling" yet most of the action is covered.
Due to high notes, it is quite difficult, suitable for championships or concerts, providing challenges for experienced players.
The piece is unrelenting and all parts involve a lot of work but the effort is rewarding.
Duration: 4'20".

Heavens are Telling, The, from "The Creation" by F.J. Haydn, arranged by James Moule
Septet. Set for three Bb cornets (of which the 3rd has the hardest part), baritone, trombone, bass trombone (eupho) and Eb bass (but either bass trombone or Eb bass could be omitted). Excellent concert or contest piece with rousing climax. Not very difficult.
Duration: 4'40".

Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn by J.S. Bach, arr. James Moule
Six players. Wonderful Christmas chorale from "The Little Organ Book". Not difficult and fun to play. Scored for two cornets, tenor horn, euphonium, trombone and Eb bass.
Duration: 1'35"

If Music Be the Food of Love by Henry Purcell, arranged by James Moule
Six players. Scored for two cornets, two tenor horns, baritone and euphonium / bass trombone. Comfortably pitched and fairly straightforward, so suitable for junior groups. Duration: 2 minutes

In Dulci Jubilo by J.S Bach, arranged by James Moule
Six players. Quite difficult arrangement of this Christmas chorale from the ungrouped chorale preludes for organ. Scored for two corrnets, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass.
Duration: 2'30"

In dir ist freude by J.S. Bach arranged by James Moule
Six players. A famous chorale prelude from "The Little Organ Book". Not very difficult but everyone has to be able to count. Suits all seasons, even weddings! Also available in full band version. Scored for two cornets, tenor horn, euphonium, trombone and Eb bass.
Duration: 2'30"

Islamey by Mily Balakirev, arranged by James Moule
Septet. Set for soprano, two Bb cornets, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass.
Infamous virtuosic piano piece, said to be the most difficult of the Nineteenth Century.
The exciting galloping theme is followed by a luscious andantino. The gallop returns and the piece concludes with a furious coda.
This arrangement is a compromise, shortening the piece so that it fits into competition time limits and avoids unfriendly key signatures.
The chromaticism makes this very difficult.
Duration: 5 minutes.

Lay a Garland by Robert Pearsall, arranged by James Moule
Octet but multiple versions are supplied for each part, making it suitable for doubling or even full band (except for Bb Bass and drums).
Excellent warm-up piece. Comfortably pitched for most parts.
Duration: 1'50".

MESSIAH by G.F. Handel, arranged by James Moule
Six players. Two movements from the oratorio which may be played separately or as a set.

Worthy is the Lamb
The final chorus of "Messiah", here set from a sextet or septet. Some flexibility is available with instrumentation.
Soprano cornets on parts 1 and 3 would improve player comfort but probably not tone.
Not very difficult but the contrapuntal sections require good counting.
Duration: 3'35".

Amen
The previous chorus ends on a dominant chord so it naturally leads to the Amen as a conclusion.
This makes the combination very suitable for contests, as well as being useful for concerts, especially at Easter.
Sextet with various options for instruments. Soprano cornets on parts 1 and 3 would aid player comfort but probably not tone.
Duration: 3'35".

Minuet (Andante) from Organ Concerto Op.4 No.1 HWV289 by G.F. Handel
Octet, based on the final movement of the Concerto which, being in G major, is not friendly to brass players.
Scored for soprano cornet, two Bb cornets, flugel, Eb horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass. BC parts and french horn also provided.
Beginning quietly with various soloists, the movement builds in nobility and volume.
Excellent concert piece, suitable for opening or closing a concert program.
There is a version for full band on this site.

Duration: 5 minutes

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by Edward German, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. Edward German Jones' serious music does not deserve the oblivion that it enjoys today.
This arrangement is based on the piano duet version of two dances from the incidental music, written in 1898.
Scored for two Bb cornets, Eb horn, baritone horn, euphonium and Eb bass. Fairly narrow ranges permits parts to be played by various instruments. Extra parts supplied for french horn and lower parts in BC
Some parts are very easy but cornet parts have some challenges. Excellent concert pieces which stand on their own. Suitable for junior contests.
Total playing time, including breaks: About 7'30"

Bourree
Rather formal for a bourree. Transposing this to comfortable keys has made it rather tubby. Both lower parts can be played on tubas.
Suitable for doubling parts for larger ensembles.
Duration: 4'35"

Gigue
More a tarantella at the the speed German suggests so best played as fast as is comfortable for the group. A wild ride with extreme variations in dynamics.
Cornets are required to cover a wide range but several instruments can cover other parts. Suitable for doubling parts for larger ensembles.
Duration: 2'50"

Norwegian Dance Op. 35 No.3 by Edvard Grieg arr. James Moule
Six players. Scored for two Bb cornets, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass.
Short, jaunty piece, not difficult. Suitable for concert performance.
Duration: 2'30"

ORGAN CONCERTO No.4 by G.F. Handel, transcribed by James Moule
Octet plus keyboard. Handel wrote some 16 concertos for keyboard. These were played as interludes in his operas and were mostly arrangements of pieces published in other forms.
As English organs at the time did not have pedal boards, these can be played on an electronic keyboard, harpsichord or piano (but a real pipe organ sounds best and can match brass accompaniment.)
Each movement here is scored for Eb cornet, 3 x Bb cornets, Eb horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass. The organ part is as written by Handel. The Eb bass and baritone parts are given for balance but their parts are covered by other instruments.
Each movement stands alone as a separate piece, if required. Not difficult.

2. Andante, Adagio
Famous march-like movement, followed by organ improvisation.
Duration: 6'45"

3. Allegro
Rocketing fugue with occasional interruptions by brass. Not much for the brass players in this movement.
Duration: 3'25"

ORGAN CONCERTO Op.4 No.5 by G.F. Handel, arr. James Moule
Octet plus organ, though horns are mostly doubled.
Handel wrote some 16 concertos for keyboard. These were played as interludes in his operas and were mostly arrangements of pieces published in other forms.
As English organs at the time did not have pedal boards, these can be played on an electronic keyboard, harpsichord or piano (but a real pipe organ sounds best and can match brass accompaniment).
Each movement here is scored for Eb cornet, 2 x Bb cornets, Flugelhorn, Eb horns, euphonium and Eb bass, with extra parts for french horns and bass clef euphonium and tuba. The organ part is as written by Handel, who would have changed ornamentation in repeats.
This concerto is dominated by the organ solo, the band (orchestra) taking a supporting role.
Four movements but the slow movements end on a dominant chord so need to be followed by a fast movement. Not difficult.
Total playing time: about 8 minutes.

1. Larghetto and Allegro
Serene slow movement followed by jaunty march.
Duration: 4'30".

2. Sicilienne and Presto
The gentle Sicilienne is followed by a joyful gigue.
Duration: 3'45".

Praise My Soul by Sir John Goss, transcribed by James Moule
Six players. Four verse transcription of this tour de force of vocal harmony for two cornets, Eb horn, two trombones (or baritones / euphoniums) and Eb bass. Suitable as a warm up to emphasise tone, balance, mute playing and ensemble work. Bass clef and treble clef parts are provided for the lower instruments. Works well for larger groups with parts suitably balanced. Easy.
Duration: 2 minutes.

Prelude BWV 532 by JS Bach, arranged by James Moule
Sextet, set for two cornets, Eb horn, baritone, euphonium and a four-valve Eb bass.
Derived from the organ Prelude in D Major, the influence of Buxtehude is clear in this youthful work.
All players face moderate technical challenges.
Duration: 4'40"

Prelude and Fugue by Henry Purcell, transcribed by James Moule
Sextet, set for two cornets, Eb horn, baritone, euphonium and a bass, preferably a small four-valve Bb bass, though a four-valve Eb bass part is provided.
The improvisatory, contemplative prelude, highly decorated, is followed by a thrilling fugetta with a stunning finish.
Better suited to adult players who can recognise the conversational nature of the prelude. Duration: 3 minutes.

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, transcribed by James Moule
Octet. This short, gentle chorale improvisation is No. 51 of Opus 65. Here transcribed for soprano cornet, two Bb cornets, flugelhorn, Eb horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass, it is excellent for developing beautiful tone and a warm ensemble sound. Highly chromatic harmonies will test tuning accuracy but otherwise, there are few challenges for experienced players. Duration: 2 minutes.

Shepherd's Dance from "Henry VIII" by Edward German, arranged James Moule
Octet. Set for soprano cornet, 3 Bb cornets, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and Eb bass with extra french horn and bass clef parts.
Edward Jones was told that one had to have a foreign name if one wanted to do well in music so he changed his name to "German".
Today, he is dismissed as a pale imitator of Sir Arthur Sullivan but some of his serious works deserve preservation.
This gentle sicilienne requires subtle playing, making it good for contests and concerts.
Duration: 3'25"

Sinfonia from Brandenburg Concerto No.1 by J.S. Bach, arranged by James Moule
Sextet. The original came in (at least) three versions, of which the first movemement of the first Brandenburg is the best known. (It also appears as a Sinfonia and as the overture to Cantata BWV 52.
Scored here for soprano cornet, two Bb cornets, Eb horn, euphonium and Eb bass, there is very little "doubling" yet most of the action is covered.
Due to high notes, it is quite difficult, suitable for championships or concerts, providing challenges for experienced players.
The piece is unrelenting and all parts involve a lot of work but the effort is rewarding.
Duration: 4'15".

SUITE No.3 by JS Bach, transcribed by James Moule
Sextet. The original has 10 parts, probably for one instrument each as many are doubled.
This, and No.4, contains more brass than the other two orchestral suites.
Three movements are given out of the five. (The Overture is very long and the Air is a quartet.)
Set for soprano cornet, two Bb cornets, Eb horn, euphonium and Eb tuba, each piece requires six strong players.
Total duration excluding breaks: 7'30"

Gavotte
Actually two gavottes. Not difficult, comfortably pitched.
Duration: 3'25"

Bourree
Short, boisterous dance with some high notes for 1st Bb Cornet.
Duration: 1'20"

Gigue
Typical Bach 6/8 gigue in binary form with repeats. Most difficult of the movements, especially for Soprano and 1st Bb Cornet.
Duration: 2'45"

TOCCATA, ADAGIO AND FUGUE IN C MAJOR, BWV 564 by J.S. Bach, arr. James Moule
Sextet. Scored for soprano, 2 x Bb cornets, tenor horn, euphonium (baritone) and Eb bass. This famous organ sonata translates well to brass ensemble (but not full band). Six strong players are required. Not for beginners. Brilliant major concert piece but each movement stands as a separate work.

Toccata
Surely inspired by a family quarrel. (The kids start squabbling, Mum and Dad intervene firmly in unison, then a "full and frank" family discussion takes place.) Great potential for a comedy act. Don't be frightened by the demi-semquavers - the pace is leisurely, notes really double length in modern music. This is the most difficult of the three movements, especially the opening quasi fantasia section. Duration: 5 mins 30s.

Adagio
Bach in a contemplative mood. Mostly a conversation between soprano and 1st cornet. Easy for everyone but very expressive playing is essential. Duration: 3 minutes.

Fugue
Bach in a joyous and frivolous mood. This jovial fugue in four voices needs six players to cover the range but only four players are likely to be playing together until the last few bars. Plenty of challenges but none that good players will not overcome. The MIDI file provided is crude and does not include ornaments and speed changes. Duration: 4'20".

Two Gloomy Clouds Over the Mountains by Sergei Taneyev, arranged by James Moule
Octet (double quartet) in three contrasting sections.
Based on the chorus Op.27 No.11 for double SATB choir, this arrangement is a "flexiset", enabling two opposing quartets to battle in antiphony.
It is suitable for doubling (16 players) or tripling (24 players). The range of Parts 7 & 8 will annoy both bass and euphonium players.
Very chromatic but otherwise not difficult. Suitable for contests.
Duration: 5 minutes

Voi Polita e Leggiadra by Girolamo Belli, edited by James Moule
Sextet. Baroque love motet, set for 2 cornets, tenor horn and three trombones (or similar).
Comfortably pitched and an excellent contest piece for inexperienced players.
Duration 2'50".

Von Himmel Hoch by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, transcribed by James Moule
Octet. The original melody of this famous German carol is difficult to discern in this chorale prelude. Set for eight piece ensemble plus optional Bb bass. Very chromatic but otherwise not difficult. Duration 2'15".

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