TromboneChat

What are some audition excerpts for alto trombone?

Rhenish. Others?

Mozart's Requiem is the other big one. the Kyrie in particular.

Yep, the Mozart Kyrie (Barenreiter edition) and the Rhenish are both on the National Symphony (Washington DC) list for the upcoming associate principal position. I have a couple of friends who are applying.

I believe they are requiring the Mozart to be on alto, but not the Schumann. That makes sense because I have witnessed the Schumann performed on tenor many times. Don’t think I have ever seen someone perform the Mozart Requiem 1st part performed on a tenor…….but I’m sure people have done it.

If you're looking for things to practice...

Check out other Mozart choral pieces, especially the Great C minor mass.
Schubert Masses, especially Eb.
More and more people are playing Brahms orchestral works on alto, and he also has more choral works with trombones than just the German Requiem.
Get really secure on Beethoven 5, 6, and 9, and also practice the Missa Solemnis.

But yes, the ones you are most likely to see on an audition are Rhenish and the Kyrie from Mozart Requiem.

Not sure if it's still in print, but there used to be an alto excerpt book put together by Ken Shiffrin (sp?) former Principal in Bournemouth, UK. It was a British publisher. It has some less known works, like Britten and Stravinsky works for alto, as well as much of the stuff that has been discussed. Also, on the Mozart Requiem, check out the various editions. Some are not that difficult, while others are a real workout.

Jim Scott

CalgaryTbone wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:47 am Not sure if it's still in print, but there used to be an alto excerpt book...

https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tro ... cerpts.php

AtomicClock wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:05 am

CalgaryTbone wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:47 am Not sure if it's still in print, but there used to be an alto excerpt book...

https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tro ... cerpts.php

Yes - that's it. A good option for getting started, and some of those pieces would be very hard to get an advance copy to start working on. Great way to get started.

JS

Prices have really gone up. My copy says $22.00 .

I second Gabe’s recommendation of the Schubert Masses. Some of those alto trombone parts are a beast!