Review

William Byrd
The Earl of Oxford’s March:

Arranged by Scott Bubak

2 b-flat trumpets, horn in F, trombone (bass trombone sub)

Flemington, NJ, United States
Publisher: DFT Music
Date of Publication: 1992

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 4 brass

The quartet is scored for two trumpets, horn with tenor trombone substitute, and bass trombone. First trumpet is given the option to use piccolo trumpet for part of the piece. This arrangement sounds well; its main problem is one of endurance. With few bars of rest in any part I have often thought that the troops are going to be rather tired by the time they get to the “Battell.” I have played the piece with larger instrumentations and it has the same problem. With school groups I expect one could double the number of players, who could spell each other and solve this problem. Presentation is excellent. 

-Mike Halverson
 Minneapolis, MN