Aaron Hettinga

Aaron Hettinga

Over the course of the past year I've had the privilage of working with so many amazing musicians in a wide variety of ensembles! Now that I'm placing more focus on arranging and publishing, I'm taking every opportunity to capture recordings whenever any of my pieces get read down. Some of these have been finding their way onto my YouTube channel (@AaronHettingaMusic) as follow-score demo videos. A number of these have been either live or in-studio small brass ensemble arrangements (like New Orleans, Muppet Show Theme, Caisson, etc) though there are still a number of multitrack recordings and other live recordings that will continue to make their way out to the YT Channel.

Keep on following/liking/subscribing to the channel to catch these recordings as they make their way out into the world...thanks for listening!


Aaron

The official U.S. Army song, commonly known as “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” or “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” predates John Philip Sousa’s version by several years. In 1917, Sousa composed “The U.S. Field Artillery March” containing the Caisson Song’s melody as the basis for the march’s TRIO section.

This arrangement makes use of Sousa’s introduction, then remains faithful to his harmonic treatment and the flavors of the melody and accompaniments throughout. While each of the four parts do feature some small technical requirements, they remain at an intermediate level where even less-experienced players should be able to pull them off.

While originally scored for 2 Trumpets and 2 Trombones, the bottom voice will work well on Tuba. Horn in F parts are included to substitute for Trumpet 2 or Trombone if needed.

This arrangement is a great vehicle to share some patriotic flair on your program when four brasses are available!

This arrangement of Rascal Flatts coming-of-age song “My Wish” adds a three piece horn section to fill up a live performance and enhance the core rhythm section. This can really elevate a live performance! These horn parts fit right in with the style of the recorded version, following the form of the original track to add some extra depth.

This arrangement has been prepared in the original key of E, as recorded.

A fantastic song and frequent request for Weddings and Graduations alike!

Also available as Lead Sheet only

In D: Lead Sheet3-piece and 5-piece horn sections

In F: Lead Sheet3-horn and 5-horn versions

This lead sheet includes melody, lyrics and chords for Rascal Flatts ever popular coming-of-age song, My Wish. A fantastic song for Weddings and Graduations alike!

In the key of E Major, the original recorded key.

Also available as with 3-piece Horn Section

In D: Lead Sheet3-piece and 5-piece horn sections

In F: Lead Sheet3-horn and 5-horn versions

I'm proud to announce that this arrangement has been published through Cherry Classics!

Gustav Holst's "Planets" suite for symphony orchestra has long been a favorite. From the amazing use of orchestral colors to the exciting parts written for trombones in the Mars and Jupiter movements, it's everything a young low brass musician would love.

Over time, I came to appreciate the Venus movement above all the others, yet knew there would never be a practical reason for a trombonist to play the beautiful horn solo that opens it. After many years of work on this arrangement for solo trombone and organ, there's finally an opportunity to present this amazing work while still respecting the form of Holst's work. In preparing this piece, a key objective was to keep from abridging the work's length at all, as well as making sure all of the most important melodic and harmonic elements remain present. 

This piece will reward an advanced soloist with a strong and lyrical high register. 

While the title may seem unfamiliar, your audience will light up upon reaching the TRIO when they realize that you’re playing the yodeling theme music from The Price Is Right’s “Cliff Hangers” game! This traditional swiss tune is presented here in an arrangement for the instrumentation of Alford’s “Hungry Five” series of Polka band books.

Each of the 5 parts receives a moment or two to shine, either to take a run at the melody, counter lines, or other figures of interest. The tuba part is mostly in its straightforward support roles, but there are some small technical challenges throughout the rest of the ensemble that will reward advancing players as well as audiences for your German band.

As a performance option, you may want to consider doing a complete D.C. al Fine to extend the performance time if a single pass doesn’t seem enough.

Ready to go for your Oktoberfest OomPah gig!

Arthur Pryor’s famous theme and variations on “The Blue Bells of Scotland” has been a showcase for trombonists with strong technique and agility for well over a century. While this work is most commonly performed as accompanied by a wind band or with piano, in this arrangement the soloist is supported by a standard brass quintet.

The solo part is unchanged from Pryor’s original, though there are some minor tweaks to suggested slide positions and other notations throughout. While each of the accompanying quintet parts do feature some small technical requirements, they remain at an intermediate level where even less-experienced players should be able to pull them off.

Performance suggestion: as an option, it’s recommended to utilize Cornets and Euphonium in place of the Trumpet and Trombone parts in the accompanying quintet to more faithfully emulate the sounds of the conical-bore instruments of the period and to better separate the tonality of the accompaniment from the soloist.

This arrangement is a great vehicle to showcase a talented trombonist on this classic piece of standard trombone literature!

The enduring World War II- era standard “It's Been A Long, Long Time” has been recorded by many great artists through the years. More recently, the song has found renewed popularity due to its use in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers” movies. This arrangement takes its cue from the recording by Harry James and his orchestra, and reworks the performance as presented here for Vocal soloist, 3 horns, and Rhythm section. This chart observes the original key and form of the classic recording by Harry James with vocal soloist Helen Forrest.

The horn parts closely follow in the footsteps of the original recording, making this a good vehicle to showcase a talented trumpeter. The remaining horns play the supporting role of the most important elements of the large orchestra arrangement which requires strong players on all parts.

The Rhythm section/Lead sheet incorporates the chord changes and most important rhythmic elements to allow a flexible instrumentation of rhythm section to adequately feature the trumpeter and vocalist.

This arrangement is a great way to showcase talented instrumentalists and vocals on this classic piece of music!

This arrangement gives a horn section a chance to beef up a performance of "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind. This horn chart follows the form and key of the original track to bring some extra support to the vocal harmonies while making use of an existing rhythm section (rhythm section parts not included in this package).

Really lifts up a live performance!

The trumpet solo made famous by Al Hirt of “The Green Hornet Theme” (and more recently revived with its inclusion in the Quentin Tarantino motion picture “Kill Bill”) is presented here as a feature for a talented trumpet soloist to be accompanied by an additional 6 brass plus a rhythm section of piano and percussion. This arrangement observes the original key and form of the classic recording.

While the trumpet solo sticks to the original performance, the remaining brass parts step up to fill in for the remainder of the big band accompaniment. The Piano and Drum Set parts are all fully notated. The xylophone part is optional, as is the Timpani/Tambourine percussion part, but both add a nice bit of sparkle to the proceedings.

This is an advanced level arrangement that showcases a virtuoso trumpeter as supported by a solid ensemble.

A great way to add some 60’s television theme flavor onto your program!

The trumpet solo made famous by Al Hirt of “The Green Hornet Theme” (and more recently revived with its inclusion in the Quentin Tarantino motion picture “Kill Bill”) is presented here as a feature for a talented trumpet soloist to be accompanied by Full Big Band. This arrangement observes the original key and form of the classic recording.

While the trumpet solo and standard instrumentation sticks to the original performance, a number of additional optional parts (including Bass Sax as well as a 4-part String section) step up to add some extra flexibility to the big band accompaniment. The xylophone part is optional, as is the Timpani/Tambourine percussion part, but both add a nice bit of sparkle to the proceedings. The rhythm section parts are all fully notated. 

This is an advanced level arrangement that showcases a virtuoso trumpeter as supported by a solid ensemble.

A great way to add some 60’s television theme flavor onto your program!

The inspirational standard "Let There Be Peace On Earth" is presented here in a tender arrangement for unaccompanied Trombone quartet. It begins with an unaccompanied solo for the first eight measures, then the additional voices enter, expanding from that unison into a broader harmonic texture that employs a fair amount of suspensions and tension/release throughout.

The register of the 1st trombone part is not very forgiving, but will reward players with a lyrical high range, so this part is provided in both bass and tenor clef to best suit your players’ reading desires. Alternatively, a Bb Flugelhorn part is included that could turn this into a mixed brass ensemble without as significant of a range requirement. The 2nd and 3rd parts shouldn’t pose nearly so much of a range challenge but still briefly ascend to Ab and F# respectively.

This hopeful and introspective piece will make a fine addition as an inspirational ballad on your quartet program!

THE polka classic! Beer Barrel Polka is presented here in an arrangement for Trumpet, Tenor Sax, along with a flexible Rhythm/Vocal Lead Sheet. The key and form of this edition fairly closely follows the recording by The Emeralds. The familiar singalong section is likely to get a whole bunch of partiers singing right along with your ensemble. Will work just fine without vocals as a full instrumental if so desired.

Every Polka band should have this chart at the ready at all times as it gets requested so often. Other than a written high “D” in the trumpet part, there are no other notable extreme range or technical challenges in this arrangement for the most part, so even fairly young ensembles could use this to include some polka fun on a German band performance. Ready to go for your Oktoberfest gig!

Also available for Hungry Five Polka Band instrumentation OR this same arrangement in the Original Key as recorded by the Emeralds

Lake Street Dive’s kicking record is presented here to give a horn section a chance to fill up a performance of “Hypotheticals." This horn chart follows the form of the original track to bring some extra punch to the rhythm section. The lines and hits here take their cue from the synth horns and background vocals from the original track. This horn chart is in the key of D major, ½ step higher than the original recording.

None of the parts should pose much of a challenge for even young players.

Rhythm section parts are not included with this arrangement. The Bari Sax part is Optional.

Really lifts up a live performance!

Also available in the original key of D-flat Major

Lake Street Dive’s kicking record is presented here to give a horn section a chance to fill up a performance of “Hypotheticals." This horn chart follows the form and key of the original track to bring some extra punch to the rhythm section. The lines and hits here take their cue from the synth horns and background vocals from the original track.

None of the parts should pose much of a challenge for even young players.

Rhythm section parts are not included with this arrangement. The Bari Sax part is Optional.

Really lifts up a live performance!

Also available in the key of D Major (1/2 step higher than original)

This arrangement of this Beatles classic gives a horn section a chance to fill up a performance of “Come Together." While transposed to the key of E minor, this horn chart otherwise follows the form of the original track to bring some extra punch to the rhythm section. The Bari Sax part is Optional.

Really lifts up a live performance!

None of the parts should pose much of a challenge for even young players.

Also available in the orginally recorded key of D minor

This arrangement gives a horn section a chance to beef up a performance of Natalie Cole's hit "Inseparable." This horn chart follows the key and form of the original track while emulating some of the orchestral backing lines to bring some extra spice to an existing rhythm section (rhythm section parts not included in this package).

Really lifts up a live performance!

This timeless classic from the Beatles is presented here in an arrangement for mixed brass quartet. It can really be considered as a solo feature for the first trumpet, with accompaniment provided by the other three. Aside from some of the rhythmic demands of the melody, there are no major range or technique challenges in any of the four parts for players of an intermediate skill level. For texture, Flugelhorns or Euphoniums could be used for a gentler ballad tonality.

Additionally, this entire arrangement conforms to the original artist’s recording in Key and Form. If desired, this chart could be used along with a pianist or a rhythm section if desired to fill things out a bit further.

A great addition to a Brass quartet book for easy listening background music or for a ballad on a pops concert set!

Also available for Trombone QuartetSATB Saxophone Quartet,, Clarinet Quartet/Choir or String Quartet

This arrangement gives a horn section a chance to beef up a performance of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work." This horn chart follows the form of the original track to bring some extra spice to an existing rhythm section (rhythm section parts not included in this package).

Key for this arrangement is C Major, 1/2 step lower than the original recording

Really lifts up a live performance!

Also available in original recording key

This arrangement of “Groove Me” gives a small horn section an opportunity to add a flavor in the style of King Floyd’s classic recording. These horn parts fit right in with the recorded version, following parts played by the smaller ensemble of the recording and adding some extra harmonic texture.

The notated parts follow the key and form of the original track to bring an extra dimension to an existing rhythm section (rhythm parts not included in this package). While these parts are harmonically complete without the Bari Sax part, it is still a welcome addition

Really lifts up a live performance!

This Multi-pack of three arrangements includes the following titles:

Performance notes: For all entries in the Port Royal Civil War Brass Quintet series, it’s recommended to utilize instruments such as Cornets and Euphonium in place of the Trumpet and Trombone parts to more faithfully emulate the sounds of the conical-bore instruments of the period. Extra sets of 1st Trumpet parts are included, transposed for use with Eb Tpt or Bb Piccolo Tpt instead if desired.

These arrangements are a great opportunity to incorporate music from the American Civil War era into your Brass Quintet’s repertoire.

Richard Milburn was a 19th-century African-American composer and barber who wrote the melody for “Listen to the Mocking Bird” which was later set to lyrics by Alice Hawthorne, also known as Septimus Winner (1827 – 1902). The song’s extreme popularity led Gustavus Washington Ingalls (1824-1903) as bandmaster for New Hampshire’s 3th Regimental band (also known as the Port Royal Band), to contribute a spirited arrangement of Milburn’s melody for the Port Royal band books used during the American Civil War.

Originally #47 in the Port Royal Band Books, “Mocking Bird” is presented here in an arrangement for Brass Quintet. All of the parts contain some technical passages that may prove a challenge for less experienced players, not just as some 16th note phrases for the Trombone, but also some fairly challenging imitative “chirping” sounds for the trumpet and horn. The 1st trumpet part also spends significant time in a higher tessitura with little opportunity for rest, which is why some additional transpositions are provided in this package.

Performance notes: For all entries in the Port Royal Civil War Brass Quintet series, it’s recommended to utilize instruments such as Cornets and Euphonium in place of the Trumpet and Trombone parts to more faithfully emulate the sounds of the conical-bore instruments of the period. Extra sets of 1st Trumpet parts are included, transposed for use with Eb Tpt or Bb Piccolo Tpt instead if desired.

This arrangement is a great opportunity to incorporate historical music from the American Civil War era as well as works from composers of color into your Brass Quintet’s repertoire.

Also available as part of the Port Royal Civil War Series for Brass Quintet - 3-Pack

Composer Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880) was bandmaster for New York’s 7th Regimental band and became one of the key contributors of pieces for the Port Royal Band Books used during the American Civil War. Graffulla was responsible for the introduction at the front of J.P. Rowbotham’s “Palmyra Schottische” composition, originally #45 in the Port Royal Band Books, which is presented here in an arrangement for Brass Quintet.

This arrangement carries forward the flavor of this charming piece, though it may take players of at least moderate ability to pull it off. The 1st trumpet and horn parts pose the greater technical challenge, and the first trumpet part spends much time in a higher tessitura with little opportunity for rest, which is why some additional transpositions are provided in this package. The cadenza can be taken ad lib as only the first pitch and the last 3 eighth notes in this part were in the original handwritten manuscript.

Performance notes: For all entries in the Port Royal Civil War Brass Quintet series, it’s recommended to utilize instruments such as Cornets and Euphonium in place of the Trumpet and Trombone parts to more faithfully emulate the sounds of the conical-bore instruments of the period. Extra sets of 1st Trumpet parts are included, transposed for use with Eb Tpt or Bb Piccolo Tpt instead if desired.

These arrangements are a great opportunity to incorporate music from the American Civil War era into your Brass Quintet’s repertoire.

Also available as part of the Port Royal Civil War Series for Brass Quintet - 3-Pack

Composer Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880) was bandmaster for New York’s 7th Regimental band and became one of the key contributors of pieces for the Port Royal Band Books used during the American Civil War.

His “Parade March or Troop” composition, originally #13 in the Port Royal Band Books, is presented here in an arrangement for Brass Quintet. All of the parts are relatively accessible to players of even moderate ability, though the 1st trumpet part spends some time in a higher tessitura with little opportunity for rest which is why some additional transpositions are provided in this package.

Performance notes: For all entries in the Port Royal Civil War Brass Quintet series, it’s recommended to utilize instruments such as Cornets and Euphonium in place of the Trumpet and Trombone parts to more faithfully emulate the sounds of the conical-bore instruments of the period. Extra sets of 1st Trumpet parts are included, transposed for use with Eb Tpt or Bb Piccolo Tpt instead if desired.

These arrangements are a great opportunity to incorporate music from the American Civil War era into your Brass Quintet’s repertoire.

Also available as part of the Port Royal Civil War Series for Brass Quintet - 3-Pack

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