Hi there,

I am doing my DipABRSM in Trumpet performance in December of this year, and was wondering what people thought of my choice of programme?

Busser - Andante and Scherzo
Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in Eb (Complete)
BREAK
Clarke - Sounds from the Hudson (Own choice piece)

I would love to hear some feedback. I was going to have Copland Quiet City in there too, but after timing it last night it is 36 mins with those three pieces (including breaks etc). And I know it is meant to be 35 mins +- 10%.

Thanks!
Danny

Is Clarke a comtemporary composer? If so, perhaps a baroque piece there would provide more variety? Just my thoughts. For my oboe diploma exams, I always played one piece each from Baroque, Classical and 20th century.

Thanks for your reply!
Yes Clarke is a contemporary composer, so I have 20th Century, Romantic and Classical. Would that be suitable as they are three different era's?
Thanks
Daniel

I am not sure if I would qualify Henri Busser as a Romantic composer ... he was born in 1872 and wrote most of his pieces in the 20th century, didn't he? His pieces for wind instruments were written as exam pieces for the Paris Conservatoire, and are usually showpieces, much like the Clarke piece (albeit in a different style I guess). Are there any Baroque pieces that you are happy to play for your exam? I know they are very high and not easy to pull off (particularly on a Bb/C trumpet).

Thanks again for another reply. Yes you're right, after looking at things it was written in the 20th Century, my mistake!!! I am looking at some baroque pieces on the syllabus and seeing if there is anything suitable on there!

Thanks again,
Daniel

You are welcome, Daniel. The Busser piece is actually very typical of 20th century French pieces written for exams at the Paris Conservatoire. You definitely need to know things like that if you want to do well on your diploma exam!

The Fasch Concerto (whole thing last approx 7 minutes) is a good Baroque one from the list. there is a fantastic Fasch Society website which will help when you do your written submissions. Top tip - don't leave those to the last minute and spend time on them.
The Busser is a fantastic showpiece on trumpet, lots of tricks and showmanship how about ending with it?
Then you could keep the Haydn in, if you are OK for time