Review

Traditional
Carol of the Merry Gentlemen:

Arranged by Ryan Deifenderfer

Four trombones

Vancouver, BC, , Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2015
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

This arrangement of two holiday favorites go together like bread and butter and are sure to delight! The beginning features bass trombone with the soaring melodic line of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen as the other three voices provide accompaniment. Then comes a “jazzy waltz” arrangement of Carol of the Bells. The added syncopations passed around make it even better. Although elements of each Christmas carol are in the other, they are distinctive enough to be performed as stand alone pieces. The first trombone part is in tenor clef; the rest are in bass clef. The bass trombone part is quite low, getting down to EE, and could be played on tuba without anyone batting an eye. The second and third trombone parts are significantly less difficult than the first and bass trombone parts. No advanced techniques are required and the parts are clear and neatly laid out on the page. Get out there and spread some holiday cheer with this, trombonists!