Senior Solo

[brass.wint]

I’m a high school senior looking for a technical piece to play for university auditions. I’m looking for something that sounds good but isn’t horribly challenging. Thank you!

[John Morgan]

Welcome to the Forum!! Here are a couple possibilities (assuming you are a euphonium player):

1. Morceau Symphonique by Alexandre Guilmant (has both band and piano accompaniments)
2. Rhapsody for Euphonium by James Curnow (has both band and piano accompaniments)

Of course, there are hundreds more, but these two are not too difficult, and it is not uncommon at all for high school senior trombone players to have played Morceau Symphonique. Euphonium players play this piece as well. You can probably go on YouTube and find several examples of both of these pieces to hear what they sound like if you are not familiar with them. Good luck!!

[aroberts781]

Not sure if this is quite what you are looking for, but I've always thought that something that sounds good and is reasonably technical and accessible at the same time are the Bourrée 1 and 2 sections of the Bach 3rd cello suite. Maybe not quite enough there for a stand alone performance piece, but if you just need something technical for an audition it might work. It's not the most technical music, but there are some interval things in there and some fun tonguing/slurring variations. I use the Keith Brown arrangements for trombone. There is also a great video on YouTube of Brian Bowman playing these if you are curious.

Both of John's recommendations would be good too.

[davewerden]

I think the Galliard Sonata No. 5 would provide ample opportunity. Here is the Allegro Assai movement:

https://youtu.be/kdv1m2LTOq4

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title...4?aff_id=15680

[spkissane]

The Joseph Horovitz Concerto is a classic. I used the first two movements on my college auditions back in the day. Very fun to play and very fun to listen to.