Chrome Heart is an exciting new work for bass trombone that will work excellently as the cornerstone of your next recital. Selected for the 2024 International Trombone Festival Composers Workshop, this piece grabs your attention from beginning to end with pounding low notes, expressive lines, and blazing technique in between.

The composer states “Chrome Heart was created during a time where I had many tribulations occur in close succession to one another. I found myself in scenarios where I couldn’t let those tribulations cloud my judgement or influence my quality of character for the greater good of what I needed to get done. I titled this piece Chrome Heart representing the overall character of me seeming “fine” to others to function in my environment while on the inside a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings were circulating about many different situations.”

Length: 7 minutes

Range: Highest note is F4. Lowest note is pedal F.

Looking for a playful addition to your next tuba recital? Romp and Ripple is a playful conversation between the tuba (or bass trombone) soloist and piano that contrasts the bold with the delicate, the heavy with the weightless, and the punchy with the lyrical. The conversation is not an argument between two opposing forces; rather, the performers work cooperatively to enhance one another’s low, foreboding range and higher, melodious capabilities.

Romp and Ripple was initially written in 2021 for Dr. Todd French, professor of tuba and euphonium at Murray State University, and premiered at the 2022 Midwest Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (MWRTEC) in Lexington, KY.

Length: 7 minutes and 30 seconds

Range: Highest note is G#4. Lowest note is E1.

Sonata in One Movement is Brady M. Johnson’s take on the traditional solo bass trombone and piano repertoire. This work showcases both the faster technical and slower lyrical sides of the bass trombone, resulting in a piece that sounds right at home on any solo bass trombone recital.

Length: 11-12 minutes

Range: Highest note is A4; lowest note is pedal Bb.

Arthur Pryor’s Blue Bells of Scotland is one the cornerstone solo works for the tenor trombone, performed countless times since the composer began performing it as he toured around the world.

Lucas Borges created this arrangement for the 2020 Ohio University Trombone Day with José Milton Vieira performing the solo. The trombone choir parts are extremely manageable for most ensembles, but you will have more success with at least one tenor trombonist with a strong upper range and one bass trombone with a strong pedal register.

Length: 6-7 minutes

Range: Highest tenor part in trombone choir reaches C5 several times and has two optional D5’s. Lowest bass trombone part goes down to pedal F frequently.

“Denton” Sonata for Trombone and Piano was commissioned by a consortium of trombone alumni from the University of North Texas, led by Dr. Lucas Borges. Our goal for this work is to reflect the kind of positivity and hope Lucas and I both experienced during our time in the UNT Trombone Studio and the family environment that the professors cultivated among the students.

This piece is a perfect centerpiece for your next trombone recital. While the first two movements are relatively accessible for student trombonists, the third movement presents a more difficult technical challenge.

Length: 12-13 minutes

Range: Highest note is E5 (and it’s the last note of the piece - sorry!) - otherwise, the highest the piece goes is around B4 a couple of times. Lowest note is a couple of D2’s in the last movement in unison with the piano.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video of the composer performing this work.

Slide Sonata for trombone and piano is in three movements, Valse, Song and Fête. A jazz version of the middle movement can be heard on Thomas Hultén’s album Slide Side under the name “Song for Birgitta”. The Slide Sonata was finished in 2022 and premiered by the composer in 2023.

Length: around 9 minutes

Range: Highest note is a D5. Lowest note is a B2. Solo part spends the majority of the work in the middle to middle upper range.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video of the composer performing this work.

The Swedish phrase “Tuta å Kör” (phonetically Tuta oh Sure) means “Honk and Drive”. It’s an expression used for all kinds of situations where you need speed, energy and good cheer, whether driving, biking, swimming, skiing, playing sports or even playing the trombone. Tuta, Oh Sure was written in 2022 and premiered by the composer in 2023. It was performed by Louise Pollock at the 2023 International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City.

Length: just under 2 minutes

Range: Highest note is a D5. Lowest note is a D2.

Claude Debussy’s Two Arabesques is a pair of arabesques composed for piano by Claude Debussy when he was still in his twenties, between the years 1888 and 1891.

Tony Baker created this arrangement for his solo recital at the 2019 International Trombone Festival at Ball State University, accompanied by pianist Michael Schneider, and the arrangement works on many levels. The first movement is a beautiful legato feature weaving the melodic line between the piano and trombone parts seamlessly. The second movement requires precise control through many quick 16th note triplet turns. This arrangement requires some work on the soloist’s part to bring out the deft touch Debussy wants in these movements, but it is well worth the effort.

Length: 7-8 minutes

Range: Highest note is an E5, plus a couple D#5’s and several D5’s. Lowest note is an E2.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video of the University of Central Arkansas Natural Slides performing this work.

Apogee Fanfare is an ideal opener for your trombone ensemble concert. Written in 2017 by Chris M. Sharpe, this piece is a short, majestic fanfare for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses). Apogee Fanfare was premiered by the University of North Texas Trombone Consortium at the 2017 TMEA Convention, and the work has been performed across the globe since, including at every International Trombone Festival since 2018.

Length: 2 minutes

Range: Highest tenor part reaches Bb4 once. Lowest bass part features a good amount of pedals, but can be edited for players with limited low range.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the Carolina Trombone Project recording of this work.

Appalachian Fantasy was commissioned by Jeremy Marks and the Carolina Trombone Project with the goal in mind of creating new works that would accessible for high school and smaller college trombone ensembles. Jeremy asked me to essentially write an Appalachian version of Richard Strauss’s epic Alpine Symphony, and this was the end result. Just as the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are smoother, gentler mountain ranges when compared with the Alps, this work is also somewhat smoother and gentler than the work it was based on.

Length: 9 minutes

Range: Highest tenor part reaches A4 several times. Lowest bass part goes down to pedal F once, but several pedal Gs, A-flats, and As.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video of the University of Oklahoma Trombone Choir performing this piece (time stamp 49:31).

Fanfare for Doc is an another ideal opener for your trombone ensemble concert. Written in 2026 by Chris M. Sharpe, this piece is a short, majestic fanfare for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses) split into two quartets. Fanfare for Doc was commissioned by Dr. Justin Cook and the Oklahoma University Trombone Choir in honor of Dr. Irv Wagner, long-time Professor of Trombone at OU and known to his students as “Doc.”

Length: 2 minutes

Range: Highest tenor part reaches Db5 once. Lowest bass part features a good amount of pedals, but can be edited for players with limited low range.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video of the Columbus State University Trombone Ensemble performing this work.

If you are looking for an accessible work for performers and audiences alike that adds beauty to any program, In Their Gentle Presence is a great fit for your trombone choir. Written in 2014 by Daniel Isgar, this work is for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses). In Their Gentle Presence was premiered at SUNY-Fredonia in 2014 and has been performed by trombone ensembles across the globe since. This work was made popular by the Dr. Bradley Palmer and the Columbus State University Trombone Ensemble, and you can find recordings of this work by CSU on YouTube and the album Full Tilt.

Length: 4 minutes, 30 seconds

Range: Highest tenor part reaches Bb4 several times. 2nd and 3rd tenor parts reach A4 once. Lowest bass part goes down to pedal Gb and has pedals throughout.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the Vanderbilt University Trombone Ensemble performing this work.

Joy Cometh in the Morning was premiered at the 2018 International Trombone Festival Composers’ Workshop, and features a luscious soundscape that works well with any trombone choir concert. Written in 2018 by Chris M. Sharpe, this lyrical piece is written for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses).

Length: 5 minutes

Range: Highest tenor part reaches Ab4 once. Lowest bass part reaches pedal Gb a couple times but mostly stays near or above B1.

Octet no.2 is a fun, fast-paced work written for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses) that will have audiences on the edge of their seats! This piece was chosen as the winner of the 2025 International Trombone Association Composition Competition Octet Division and received its premiere at the 2026 International Trombone Festival. This work is technically demanding and therefore best-suited for relatively advanced ensembles.

Length: 6 minutes

Range: Top part stays relatively high for the majority of the piece so alto trombone is recommended, but tenor and bass clef parts are included as well in case the performer would rather play the part on medium bore or small bore tenor. Second part stays in the upper range less than the top part, and the other tenor parts stay in the staff for the most part. Lowest note in the bottom bass trombone part is a pedal A-flat, and the top bass trombone part can easily be played on a large bore tenor trombone. Both tenor clef and bass clef parts are included for the parts 2-4.

Salisbury Cathedral is a beautiful chorale written for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses) that is sure to find a home on your next trombone ensemble concert. This piece was written for the Murray State Trombone Choir’s performance at the 2026 Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference and was chosen as runner-up for the 2026 KMEA Composition Contest. The composer attempted to put into sound the feeling of hearing sound carrying through the vast space and architecture of this massive cathedral, so this piece works best in a resonant space, particularly venues with plenty of reverb.

Length: 5 minutes

Range: Top two tenor parts reach have several B-flat4s and A-flat4s. Other tenor parts stay in the staff for the most part. Lowest bass part has a pedal D-flat in the last measure, but rest of part stays in a more comfortable range.

Slide Quest, written for 8 trombones (6 tenors, 2 basses), evokes the thrill and excitement of an adventure. Drawing upon his love for video game music, Yocum takes the listener through several scenes, ending with a triumphant finale. This fun romp through different soundscapes at a brisk pace fits perfectly into any trombone choir program!

Length: 4 minutes

Range: Top tenor part stays near the top of tenor clef and higher, has several B-flat4s and A-flats4s, and ends on a D-flat5. 2nd tenor part occupies a similar range but doesn’t go above B-flat4. Other tenor parts stay in the staff for the most part. Lowest bass part has a pedal D-flat in the last measure and several pedals on the last page, but the range is quite comfortable for the most part.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to a MIDI representation of the piece.

Escape from Death’s Door is an exciting new quartet piece sure to entertain audiences. Written in 2018 by Chris M. Sharpe, this trombone quartet work was inspired by the sights and history of Door County, Wisconsin, and uses songs from both native and migratory birds associated with the area. Performers and audience members alike will enjoy the shifts between 3/4 and 6/8 rhythms and the relentless drive to the ending. Add this work to your next quartet recital for an interesting palate cleanser between larger works, or use it as an opener that’s sure to grab everyone’s attention!

Length: 4 minutes

Range: 1st tenor part reaches A4 once, 2nd tenor part reaches Bb4 once. All parts in bass clef, 2nd part has 2 measures of tenor clef. Bass part goes down to pedal A once, remains near the bottom of bass clef for most of the piece.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the Odyssey Trombone Quartet recording of this work.

Never Enough Time was commissioned by the Odyssey Quartet and consortium after talking with Dominick Viviano, and we settled on a piece about a person’s journey through cancer treatment. The composer was diagnosed with and successfully treated for Hodgkin Lymphoma during his 20’s, and each of the members of the quartet have had a family member who was diagnosed with cancer at some point. The title of the work was inspired by a conversation between Viviano and the composer shortly after Dominick’s brother passed away from cancer. No matter how much time we get to spend with loved ones, it never feels like enough time once they’re taken from us.

Solid student ensembles and professional groups alike will find this work both challenging and rewarding. Each member of the quartet has at least 2 recitative-like solos during the piece, and the tenor voices share melodic lines throughout the work.

Length: around 10 minutes 30 seconds, but could vary based on tempos

Range: 1st tenor part reaches C5 once but has several B4s and A4s. 2nd tenor part reaches G#4 once. 1st tenor part in tenor clef, all other parts in bass clef. Bass part goes down to pedal G once and has several pedal As.

All parts use cup mute at some point during the piece.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the Odyssey Trombone Quartet recording of this work.

The Secret City is a three-movement work for trombone quartet. Written in 2021 by Chris M. Sharpe, this trombone quartet work was inspired by the history behind Oak Ridge, TN, and the words of John Hendrix, who lived in the area decades before the city was founded. This work (and the story behind it in the program notes) will be an excellent addition to any quartet program, especially the exciting last movement that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. Solid student ensembles and professional groups alike will find this work both challenging and rewarding.

Length: 9 minutes

Range: 1st tenor part reaches C5 three times, 2nd tenor part reaches A4 once. 1st tenor part in tenor clef, all other parts in bass clef. Bass part goes down to pedal F once.

The first method book from Chris Sharpe, Bass Trombone Double Valve Technique provides a progressive approach to learning and developing valve technique on the modern independent-valve bass trombone with valves tuned to F and G-flat. The book contains exercises with short two or three note patterns, builds up through scales and arpeggios, and culminates with an etude in every major key. This book is ideal for high school and college bass trombone students looking for a detailed exploration of various uses for the valves.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to hear a MIDI rendering of this work.

This piece for large brass ensemble and percussion is inspired by the military concept and painting The Two Thousand Yard Stare by Tom Lea. The painting depicts the experiences at the Battle of Peleliu in the South Pacific region and elaborates on the feeling experienced through combat.

The A sections depict the rush and adrenaline of various obstacles, sights, and battery effects that would appear throughout the battlefield. The B section packages the concept of the “fog of war” with the complex necessity of courage through uncertainty, all to end in a mysterious state similar to Lea’s famous painting.

Instrumentation is 5 B-flat trumpets (1st doubles on piccolo trumpet), 4 horns in F, 2 tenor trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 euphonium, 1 tuba, keyboard percussion (vibraphone and xylophone), timpani, snare drum, bass drum (part includes air raid siren), cymbals (crash and suspended), and harp. Duration is around 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

Evan Middleton is a composer and arranger from Springfield, Virginia. While composing, Evan works as a member of “The Commandant’s Own,” the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps in Washington, D.C., and has been a member for 6 years as a Baritone Bugler. He has written various brass arrangements for the ensemble in large and small configurations of the group. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance.