Review

Ran Whitley
Trombone Quartets: For Young Players

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

Ran Whitley is a Professor of Music at Campbell University who brings over 35 years of experience in performance, education, and community music-making to his compositions and arrangements.

Trombone Quartets for Young Players is a set of seven brief, stylistically varied quartets designed for beginner-intermediate ensembles. The individual movements are: 1. Fiesta (cha cha), 2. Sahara (minor and mysterious), 3. Hoedown (square dance), 4. Rio de Janeiro (samba), 5. Mystic Temple (maestoso), 6. Cuckoo Clock (deliberate, clock-like tempo), and 7. Courante (a waltz-like dance).

Scoring is practical and approachable: the first part never climbs above f1, and the lowest voice stays no lower than F, with no rhythms faster than eighth notes and only occasional repetitive syncopations. The writing encourages confident ensemble playing without demanding advanced technical facility or endurance. Because rhythmic complexity and range requirements remain modest throughout, most middle school and early high school players should navigate these pieces successfully with attentive rehearsal. Any part could equally be performed on baritone/euphonium if that better suits an ensemble’s personnel.

Despite the accessible level, each quartet presents a distinct character and a clear sense of style, providing young players valuable exposure to genres such as Latin dance, folk-inspired movement, and light lyrical writing. The predictable phrase structures and limited technical hurdles make these works ideal for introducing chamber music fundamentals—balance, blend, cueing, and rhythmic independence—to developing ensembles.

Musically, the set is rewarding rather than superficial; the stylistic variety and engaging shapes of the quartets mean they would serve well not only in studio settings but also on concert programs that seek to highlight low brass musicians at the beginning of their ensemble journey. In both educational and performance contexts, Whitley’s Trombone Quartets for Young Players is a welcome addition to the growing repertoire for young trombonists and quartets alike.