A lovely arrangement for Wind Quintet. A lot of interest in each part using attractive counterpoints and harmony. I really love this arrangement! Great job!

 Song of Australia – Wind Quintet

Well, who does not love the famous canon by Pachelbel? Wouldn't be many apart from the odd Bass player who has to play the same bar from start to finish Here we ha a refreshing set of a theme and four short variation’s arranged by talented Australian arranger/composer Fiona Hickie. This is a particularly good work for aspiring Euphonium players to get their teeth into as it requires the player to produce a lovely sound (remember Euphonium is the greek word for sweet sounding). The theme demands the player use alot of air along with careful phrasing to bring the theme to life. Be careful not to rush the 16th notes at bar 11. Variation one looks simple enough but requires a small change in style to get the swing feel, please play the trills in baroque style i.e starting on the upper note so in bar 31 start on the D then play the trill and finish with a turn into bar 32. Variation two, very relaxed and allow the compound rhythm to dominate. Mind the key. Variation three. Another change in style, the tenuto staccato notes for mine should be slightly clipped to add to the Caribbean style. A good exercise for improving those with a 4th valve with the B naturals and C,s. Variation four. Ragtime is happy music, play this with lightness not too loud and keep it moving . Your metronome will keep you honest. In all this is an arrangement that needs to be in every aspiring Euphonium players library.

 Variations on a Theme by Pachelbel – Euphonium and Piano