Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) wrote the Musikalische Exequien, opus 7 (SWV 279-281) for the funeral of Prince Heinrich Posthumus von Reuss (1572-1635). Prince Heinrich?s widow and sons commissioned the work upon his death and provided Schütz with Bible verses as the text, which were also inscribed on the prince?s coffin.

Two of the three parts of the Musikalische Exequien have been arranged for 8-part Trombone Ensemble in two different choirs. The first piece, Motet is reminiscent of Gabrieli's Sonatas. The second piece, Canticum Sineonis is dense, rich, and evokes deep spiritual suffering and loss.

Two Sacred Pieces have been exquisitely edited and arranged by Kenneth Biggs for moderately advanced performers and work very well with 2 Alto Trombones, 4 Tenor Trombones, and 2 Bass Trombones.

Us, composed by Thad Jones in 1970 and originally recorded that same year, is one of the pieces which defined the new sound of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. While being one of the most successful, early melding of big band instrumentation with rock rhythms and rhythm section instruments, it also includes an a cappella chorus for the ?band? (for this version, read: ?trombones?) and intricate saxophone lines which are challenging but very rewardingly playable.

David Fletcher has done a magnificent job of translating the richness of Thad?s voicings and the exuberance and spirit of this piece to the Trombone quintet plus rhythm section instrumentation of the University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble, who have performed it at both American Trombone Workshops and International Trombone Festivals.

David Fletcher, a member of the award winning University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble under the direction of Jim Pugh arranged this great chart for Trombone Quintet and rhythm section. It is about 4 minutes in length and includes improvised jazz solos for Trombone 2 and Electric Guitar.

ROXY by Euan Edmonds is a chart written for Jazz Trombone Quintet and Rhythm section and is part of the University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble series.

This work begins with a funky bass line that returns several times throughout the work. A sultry melody featuring a solo trombone follows and eventually the work opens up for solos and ends with the entire ensemble laying down some lush rhythmic chords.

ROXY is about 8 minutes in length.

Jones wrote this work in 1958 for a small group session with his two brothers Hank (piano) and Elvin (drums) and is in the album Keepin' Up With The Joneses. The title refers to the three brothers plus another Jones, Eddie, who was the bass player on the session...therefore Three and One.

David Fletcher, a member of the award winning University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble under the direction of Jim Pugh arranged this great chart for Trombone Quintet and rhythm section. It is about 7-8 minutes in length and includes improvised jazz solos for Bass Trombone and 2nd Trombone and is appropriate for advanced performers.

Nabucco is the opera which established Verdi's reputation as a great composer and even he realized its importance as he noted "this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins".

iTromboni alum Kenneth Pearce and Andrew Poirier have skillfully set the Overture to "Nabucco" to highlight the beautiful melodies and technical flare in their arrangement for trombone quintet (2 altos, 2 tenors, bass). As in the original, it all begins with a stately trombone chorale, hints at the big melody of ?Va, pensiero? (the great chorus of the Hebrew slaves) and reaches its energetic conclusion full of gusto!

This arrangement is suitable for advanced performers and can be heard on iTromboni?s debut album: ?there goes the neighbourhood?.