Review

Leroy Anderson
Sleigh Ride:

Arranged by Angus Armstrong

Piccolo trumpet, Trumpet/Piccolo trumpet, 2 b-flat trumpets, 2 horns in F, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, sleigh bells, temple blocks, whip/glockenspiel

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1948 / 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Angus Armstrong’s arrangement of this perennial holiday classic remains faithful to the spirit of the familiar Sleigh Ride settings for orchestra and band. While the low brass writing will feel familiar and comfortable to performers, the high brass and pitched percussion parts combine the material from large ensemble settings with passages otherwise performed by strings and woodwinds. The arranger does a good job of weaving these together into something fresh.

The engraving is clear, well-proportioned, and easy to read, reflecting the high production standards typically associated with this publisher. While the tessitura is reasonable for most performers, ensemble directors should ensure that both piccolo trumpeters are equipped for the task. This arranger demonstrates a clear understanding of each instrument's range to create clarity in ensemble voicings.

A note to directors: consult with horn and trombone players to ensure that all trills are both idiomatic and technically feasible. Near the middle of the arrangement, trombonists are asked to trill in registers where lip trills function primarily as a coloristic effect rather than as discrete pitch alternations, which could prove challenging with the precision of their valved-brass counterparts. While experienced brass players will navigate these passages with ease, younger musicians will likely need additional guidance.

If you wish to offer a familiar favorite in a new setting, this arrangement may provide just what you are looking for!