Triplo Press grades music based on four basic criteria:
rhythmic complexity
demands of range
demands of technique and endurance
musical complexity
It can be assumed that, regardless of grade level, all works fit the mission and goals set forth by Triplo Press for publication.
Grade 1 Involves rudimentary levels in all four criteria. Rhythms do not progress beyond eighth notes, range reaches no higher than a g'' and technical and musical demands are minimal. Key signatures stay within two flats to two sharps.
Grade 2 Introduction of triplet figures, but still no faster than eighth notes. Range to an occasional b''. The use of any key. Varied (but clearly marked) articulations. Few technical demands. Musical demands are elementary.
Grade 3 In general, more musical awareness than Grade 2. Rhythmic complexity includes sixteenth notes. Range goes to an occasional c'''. Continued simplicity of arrangement and style, but musical content is on a more mature level, and, played well, are extremely effective. Most of the pieces written in the Cincinnati Herald Trumpet Ensemble series are in this category.
Grade 4 Advanced young students (usually ages 16-18). Rhythms mildly complex, with the introduction of simple mixing of meters. Range utilizes c''' on a regular basis. Average technical demands, including same-note multiple tonguing. The player's understanding of musical and stylistic concepts become more important to rehearsal ease and success of performance.
Grade 5 Continued sophistication of style and demands. Full sounding ensemble writing. Increased complexity of rhythms and mixed meter and time signatures. Range demands are routinely to c'''. Multiple tonguing and relatively complex technical demands. Endurance and power demands increase. Serious young performers at the collegiate level can handle this level.
Grade 6 This is the level that most accomplished collegiate players and professional performers find most befitting. Without extreme technical demands, but with definite challenges. Range goes to e'''. Sophisticated musical demands. The use of smaller trumpets within the ensemble is common. The knowledge of style is extremely important to the success of these works.
Grade 7 Still more sophistication. Strong collegiate or beyond. Higher level in sensitivity of ensemble and complexity within the composition. Endurance is also a factor.
Grade 8 Very strong demands at every level. Complex rhythms and time signatures. Technique and range are musical considerations which do not take the level of the performer into consideration. Very challenging material.
TRP-002Fanfare for a Festive Occasion [4]Olcott, J.
Composer: Olcott, James L.
Number of Trumpets: 3
Key: G Major concert
Duration: 50 seconds
Difficulty: 4
In the Baroque style of Stoelzel. Features intertwining lines with conventional harmonies. Interesting to play and hear. Good style, with a few tricky rhythms
A set of four cute and easy works for the younger players. Entitled Cheese Please, Thick Crust is a Must, Light on the Sauce, and Extra Pepperoni, the pieces use engaging rhythmic and melodic content (both unison and independent) and involve the basics of ensemble performance. The range stretches from low B to F on top of the staff.
ITG Journal, June 2023, page 78:
Four Slices is a delightful set of easy trios that are suitable for a junior high schol or early high school-level ensemble....provides opportunity to develop basic ensemble techniques through unison, and independent passages, staggered entrances, simple harmonies, and various accents and dynamics. Four Slices will make a wonderful feature for a young trumpet trio looking for some short pieces to play before or after an event, at a recital, or for a school program.
- Christopher Braun, adjunct trumpet instructor, Sinclair College,
Three trumpet parts and timpani. Suggested by the editor to be played by two groups of three trumpets each (a double set of parts is included with this edition). Parts written in C major.
A classic of the trumpet ensemble literature. Exceedingly simple musically, excellent for the Baroque trumpet style. The edition contains excellent histoircal notes and insights into performance practice by Irmtraud Kruger, insuring a clear understanding of how to approch the piece. BONUS: Including with this edition is an arrangement of the March for four trumpets by trumpet historian Edward H. Tarr
TRP-189Sonata a 3, Opus 3 No. 6 [5]Quantz, J. (Lake)
Composer: Quantz, Johann Joachim
Transcriber: Lake, Leslie
Number of Trumpets: 3
Key: Bb Major concert
Duration: 7 minutes
Difficulty: 5
Originally for three flutes. Five movements: Preludio, Aria, Rigaudon, Minuetto, Capriccio. Typical music of the High Baroque. Fun and sophisticated, musically and technically challenging. Intriguing contrapuntal lines, intertwining rhythms and melodies. Excellently adapted and edited by Leslie Lake. A very satisfying musical experience.
TRP-096The Three Trumpeteers [6]Payton, N. (Olcott)
Composer: Payton, Nicholas
Editor: Olcott, James L.
Number of Trumpets: 3
Accompaniment: piano, guitar (opt.), bass and drums
Key: Bb Major concert
Duration: 4 minutes and 30 seconds
Difficulty: 6
From Nicholas's 1998 album, 'Payton's Place.' Transcribed and edited from the original recording with Nicholas, Roy Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis as the trio (click on the microphone to hear it). A light, not-tough, fun piece to play. The transcription of the improvised acapella section is also included in the publication.
TRP-141Three Intradas for Three Trumpets and Piano [6]Kimmell, J.
Composer: Kimmell, Jack Normain
Number of Trumpets: 3
Accompaniment: piano
Key: various
Duration: various
Difficulty: 6
Relatively short (2.5, 2, and 2.25 minutes respectively), modernesque pieces with lots of interesting lines, interplay and harmonies. The two outer movements are with piano, the middle acapella. The recordings, which represents the first two movements, will give you an excellent idea of Kimmell's innovative writing.
An unearthed gem from 1938, this piece is a theme and variations from a composer "with a practice of writing music which would be interesting and have educational value to high school musicians." Carefully researched by the editors and with an extensive preface, the piece is perfect for high school and up players. Fun to play and study.
Three Snapshots is made up of three one-minute vignettes that are highly motivic and contain a great deal of energy and precision. Fun to play with lots of interweaving and independent lines. The details of accents, dynamics, steady clock-like tempos, and precise cut-offs of notes are elements of attention as they contribute greatly to the sense of the work's inherent drive.
TRP-044Traditional Church Hymns with Descants [3]Olcott, J.
Composer: Olcott, James L.
Number of Trumpets: 3
Key: various
Duration: various
Difficulty: 3
Triplo's new and revised edition of the 1992 publication, with new articulations, dynamics, and lines.
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Eight traditional hymn tunes for Easter, Thanksgiving, and general use, with two colorful descants for three trumpets each, arranged for church and congregational use. Compatible with 22 popular hymn texts. Tunes include:
1. Darwall's 148th ("Rejoice, the Lord is King" and three others)
2. Diademata ("Crown Him with Many Crowns" and four others))
3. Easter Hymn ("Christ the Lord is Risen Today")
4. Lancashire ("The Day of Resurrection!" and two others)
5. Llanfair ("Jesus Christ is Risen Today" and three others)
6. Loben Den Herren ("Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" and one other)
7. Nicaea ("Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty")
8. St. George's, Windsor ("Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" and one other)
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For more clarification, click on the treble clef above.
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The recordings are of the above in order, starting from the left. Each recording has the tune played four times, the first being the tune as set by Mr. Olcott for three trumpets. The second is the setting with Descant No. 1 for three trumpets combined with the primary trumpet trio. The third is the primary trio with the second descant (again for three trumpets), and finally, in the fourth, all nine parts are played together. All of this is meant to show the flexibility of the publication. Exhilarating, majestic, and inspiring.
Originally arranged in 1984 for the Cincinnati Herald Trumpet Ensemble (CHTE) and used for countless weddings, this re-discovered classic arrangement can be played a capella or with organ if the organist can transpose to Bb (their arrangements are usually in D). Very majestic -- and much simpler than most arrangements of this famous and popular piece.
A piece challenging and fun to play. Lots of musical interplay between the parts, with a variety of styles and meters. An excellent work for younger trumpet players.
