Review

Traditional
Away in a Manger:

Arranged by Jeff Reynolds

4 tenor, 1 bass trombone

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher:
Date of Publication: 2019
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 5 trombones

Mr. Reynolds has come up with a fine arrangement of the traditional Christmas carol for five trombones, a slightly unusual grouping. The first verse is set in quite a traditional manner, while the second verse opens up into a lush, jazzy style. The range for the players is not extreme, although the second part, the “jazz chair,” ascends to d-flat2 at the end.

The second verse, which Mr. Reynolds has chosen to set in the aforementioned jazz style, is quite chromatic in its harmonic treatment of the carol. This portion is quite “Hollywood” in its harmonic style, which makes sense in light of Mr. Reynold’s long career in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It is quite a  nice arrangement; I could wish it were longer.