And we’re back! Let the arrangements and the Xmas-ing begin again! Our first suggestion that I chose to arrange for 2006 is Coventry Carol, a lesser-known seasonal lullaby. Due to its slow, heavy, chord-laced nature, I chose to write it as a short warmup for Drum Corps brass (Mellophone, Trumpet in D, Trumpet in B flat, Trombone, Baritone, and Sousaphone). The warmup builds in intensity as the carol progresses, and only for the last verse do all the brass play at once. The end is basically an open invitation to push the register as high or low as a player can on his or her instrument. I believe this is a pretty fitting opening to this year’s Xmas Arrangement Requests. Here is:

Coventry Carol (Drum Corps brass)