Russian Christmas Music: (wp) 3rd B-flat Trombone T.C.

I had a superior band conductor in HS. Dr. Swor. He pushed our symphonic band to play this in a regional competition. He challenged us with this. We did it. We worked for months on it. We scored a perfect score as a result. He made us excellent. He was a phenomenal teacher. This piece has never left my heart as a result. Nor has Dr. Swor.

Anyone who has played this piece seems to have been affected by it in the same way. I played the 1st trumpet part... every time I hear this played, it brings tears to my eyes.

I am about to play timpani on this with the Columbia Concert Band at our winter concert in a couple of weeks. Best. Timpani. Part. Ever.

I played this piece in high school in 1972. 3rd horn. I think that Dr. Reed had a love-hate relationship with French horns. He loved them so much he gave them the impossible pieces of music to play. High notes, very loud, bells up. Lips like hamburger at the end of the piece!

Moved to tears here - what a joy to find this! I played this in my high school wind ensemble over 40 years ago in 1979, first B-flat clarinet part. I will never forget it, we worked so hard on it – the audience exploded into applause at the end. Sidenote: I met my husband playing clarinet in our Big 10 marching band, we still play our clarinets together in a couple of ensembles. What a joy!🎶

I played it, conducted it, & never tire of experiencing this masterpiece!😢😅-Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet 🎺, Georgia Perimeter College and GSU

Oh my god. I had the honor of playing 1st trumpet on this masterpiece. During the concert I couldn't hold back my watery eyes during the chorale at the end.

I was percussion captain on this in middle school in 1979. 2026 and still get chills and haven't forgotten.

We played a version of this in my high school band. I played chimes. Probably my favorite piece.

We not only played this in concert band in high school, but our teacher loved it so much he made a condensed arrangement for us to march to as well...

I had the honor to be concertmaster for the University of Miami Wind Orchestra under Dr. Reed. Playing this under his direction was amazing.

I played trombone on this piece. It's such an emotional one. I'm trying to get my orchestra to consider it.

I played the timpani part in my high school's wind ensemble during my senior year. Such a fun piece.

As a high school senior in early January 1986, I performed the 3rd trumpet portion on this suite in the 4 States Bandmasters Association concert band at the Perot Theater in Texarkana, TX, Eldon A. Janzen, conductor, 1928-2022, R.I.P. Thanks for that wonderful memory, Mr. Janzen.

My concert band is playing this again this year. I've listened to this several times on YouTube, but being in the band and hearing the first chime in person sent shivers down my spine. It's a viscerally different experience when the chimes, clarinets, and English horn are in the room with you.

We played this my freshman year for wind ensemble, and I can't explain how much I love the last section!!! It's so beautiful and it feels like the hall just explodes with sound.

An amazing work. I've had the pleasure of playing it a few times. I really wanted to thank whoever posted this recording along with the score. It is a great way to practice with and learn about how to conduct this piece. I hope to someday have the opportunity to direct this work in a performance.

Being a trumpet player, I love the brass work in this piece. The chords in the finale have an organ-like quality. But I have to say, the tympani are just EPIC!

I played this piece in high school, first chair bass clarinet. It was the hardest piece we ever played in my 7 years in band. I remember playing it in concert and we got a huge standing ovation from the crowd, it was an amazing moment.

I played English horn on this a long time ago. Once the solos are over, Reed gave us a gift... playing A's on the offbeats in the last 2 minutes and letting that wonderful rush of the chimes and those rising chords sweep over us after our work was done for the night.

I got to play this piece in college (1st trumpet part) and it's a fantastic and very fun but challenging piece to play.

I remember playing this in orchestra in high school, I was the oboe, and I filled in for the chimes as well, so I kept having to go between my chair and the pit. WOW good memories.

I played this in high school in 1976. Never forget it. I played the clarinet.