Small Ensemble Pieces

Use The Blues As You Choose; A Beginner's Guide to Jazz Improvisation

 

Click Here To Find

For homogenous groups of woodwinds or brass, these one-of-a-kind pieces can let your kiddos shine.  Perfect for school groups, studio ensembles, or church praise teams, as the trios and quartets can be played by any number of instruments doubling parts for a fuller sound that includes everyone!

 

Shenandoah (Grade 2-1/2)     Listen to MP3 by 6th grade Flute Trio     This beautiful and flowing American Folk tune is set for a trio (your choice of flutes, clarinets, or saxes).  Interweaving lines, rhythmic tricks, and surprising harmonies make this arrangement stand out in the concert program, but it is crafted to be accessible to even advanced elementary groups.  Performed recently at Seton Hill University.

 

Mayberry Blues (Grade 2-1/2)     Listen to MP3 by Sax Quartet     Using the 12 bar blues as a vehicle, this little gem will have the kids' toes tappin.  Everyone can solo except the Bari player, and the shout chorus has some great twists to surprise even veteran listeners.  Performed at Seton Hill University and Duquesne University.

 

Clarinet Peace (Grade 3)     Listen to MP3 by Clarinet Trio     A surprisingly full sound for only three instruments, this "peaceful piece" is a calm spot in the show.  Interweaving lines make a beautiful peak at the 2/3 point...an excellent way to show off the clarinet section.  Rhythms and technical aspects are accessible to Intermediate players.

 

Rainbow's End (Grade 4)    Listen to MP3 by Sax Quartet     Listen to MP3 by Clarinet Quartet      A simple melody sits lovingly nestled in complex harmonies- rubato at first, then flowing faster into complex textures, ending with an enormous peak!  The fairly advanced lines and range considerations (especially for the clarinets) make this an advanced Intermediate piece.  Performed at Duquesne University.

 

A Few Brief Distractions for Saxophone Quartet- a suite in 4 parts (Grade 5)
(click the names of the movements below to hear an MP3 performance by the Greg Lutz Sax Quartet)
I. Con Mojo      II. Asagio      III. The Third Part      IV. Spunkily
20th Century approaches, angular melodies, and quartal harmonies define this unique piece for Sax Quartet.  Each movement sets and develops the original melody in a new and exciting fashion.  Difficult ensemble work puts this piece within the reach of Advanced ensembles.  Performed at Duquesne University.

 

The Three Tenors (Grade 5)    Listen to MP3 Performance by the Greg Lutz Tenor Trio    This pieces is for, you guessed it, three tenor saxophones. Beautiful harmonies lovingly caress the flowing melody, at times pooling gently rubato, but also racing with demanding forward impetus.  The length and technical demands make this piece Advanced material.  Performed at Duquesne University.

 

Madman's Memory (Grade 6)     Listen to MP3 Performance     Everything you love about 20th Century music, plus all the most difficult technical challenges of the saxophone combine to make a deliciously dazzling piece of solo literature.  To allow your most advanced sax player to shine, challenge them with this piece!  Surprisingly, there are moments where a beautifully poignant melody brings its melancholy to the fore amidst the technical fireworks.  Multiphonics, range, rhythm, and technical aspects of this piece make it a collegiate-level endeavor.  Performed at Duquesne University.