C. P. E. Bach was an innovator as an early Classical music composer, helping to develop the sonata form that was refined by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Like his father, Carl Phillip Emanuel was prolific and showed signs of true genius.

Symphony No. 1, in three movements (fast-slow-fast) was originally in D and has been transposed down a step to C by the arranger Justin Bland.

This very fine arrangement of the entire work of about 12 minutes in length is appropriate for very advanced performers and could be the cornerstone of a recital program.

While still in his twenties, Debussy composed two arabesques for piano. The first, tempo marked ?Andantino con moto,? is probably the more familiar, and it has appeared in a number of different instrumentation settings. With respect to brass quintet, ?Arabesque No. 1? seems written specifically for Horn in F to take the lead, and that is what this arrangement features. Trumpets and Trombone do help out, but for the most part it is the Horn that shines forth. (And, for once in a Les Smith arrangement, the tuba has it relatively easy.) This arrangement was completed in 2012, and performance time runs about 4 minutes, 38 seconds. Contact the arranger, Les Smith, at lessmith@ufl.edu. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.

Bach composed the secular cantata Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd BWV 208 in 1713. By far, the most famous and most performed movement is the ninth, Schafe k�nnen sicher weiden, more popularly known by its English name, "Sheep May Safely Graze." Bach scored the piece for soprano with two recorders and continuo, but others have since provided arrangements for myriad instrument combinations. Long an instrumental favorite at weddings, now even some churches include ?Sheep May Safely Graze? on their list of recommended music for marriage ceremonies. This arrangement is particularly effective in translating Bach?s music into a beautiful and quiet brass quintet composition. Horn in F and Trumpet 1 take turns with the melody, while Trombone and Tuba provide the basso continuo. Upper accompaniment is given to Trumpet 2 and, at various points, whoever else is not otherwise engaged?Trumpet 1, Horn in F and occasionally even Trombone. This arrangement was completed in 2017, and performance time runs about 4 minutes, 4 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge; contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. If you like this arrangement, don?t miss ?Andante Cantabile from String Quartet Op. 11,? ?Arabesque #1,? ?Chorale St. Antoni,? ?Clair de lune? and ?Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring).? For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.

If you can afford only one ?Up On The Housetop? for your brass quintet, this is the one to get. It is a hoot! It starts with an introduction that is definitely in a hurry; Santa?s sleigh may even have a klaxon on board to blast loitering birds out of the way! The arrangement moves on at the same fast clip, having fun with the melody and never letting up. As it reaches the halfway point, the tempo seems to slow down, but this is just an illusion; tuba and horn keep it moving. Racing toward the end, the conclusion recalls the introduction and finishes with a great, upbeat wind-up. Click on the ?Listen? button, and get set for an exciting Christmas ride with Santa.Tempo is halfnote = 138 throughout. There are some high notes and jumps. Trumpet 1?s highest note is B-flat5 (high C); Trumpet 2, A-flat5 (B-flat above the staff); Horn, F5 (high C). Trombone?s highest jump is from B-flat2 to E-sharp4. Horn has several 6-note jumps. This arrangement was completed in 2012, and performance time runs about 1 minute, 41 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, can be reached at lessmith@ufl.edu. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.

Mendelssohn?s oratorio ?Athalia? grew out of a commission he had received to write incidental music for a private performance of the French tragedy ?Athalie.? He then went on to expand his original score to include three soloists, full chorus and orchestra, two orators, an overture and the piece presented here. ?War March of the Priests? is one of Mendelssohn?s most performed compositions, one reason being that it goes over so well as both a stand-alone concert piece and as a graduation/commencement processional or recessional. As this arrangement shows, "War March" adapts perfectly to the brass quintet, from the energetic and assertive triplet figures to the complementary legato section: a real gem for two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. This arrangement was completed in 2012, and performance time runs about 6 minutes, 42 seconds; however, its repeated sections allow it to be expanded or contracted on the spot to meet the time needs for ceremonial processions. You may contact the arranger, Les Smith, at lessmith@ufl.edu. Be sure to check out the following Sweetwater Brass Press arrangements: "Chorale St. Antoni," "Entry of the Graduates: Processional," "Departure of the Graduates: Recessional," "Marche from Sylvia Ballet Suite," "Marche militaire in D major (No. 1)" and "Academic Festival Overture." For these and other arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.?

Here is a completely different take on this well-known Christmas carol. After an introduction that proudly establishes the ?O Holy Night? refrain, a 10-measure prelude sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Then comes the carol itself. But what a special version! Upbeat and celebratory, it uses the differing tonal colors of the brass quintet instruments to create pyramids of buoyant sound, winding up with a restatement of the introduction. This arrangement was completed in 2012, and performance time runs about 1 minutes, 32 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge; contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.