Brass Band template

[David Ward]

I rarely write for brass band, but this is the first page of the manuscript score of a little piece I wrote in 1983 for myself to play on the bass trombone together with a 4th section brass band. As far as I know, this is more or less the standard brass band line up, so I was surprised that Finale doesn't seem to have a template for it. In the event, it was easy to set up, although with all the transpositions &c slightly fiddly - 30 minutes worth, by the time it was all done.

Someone else has expressed an interest in the piece, so, although there are perfectly usable MS parts, I thought I should give typesetting its mere 113 bars a go. The solo part is much more demanding than the band parts. It spans almost four octaves, from contrabass D up to tenor top C. It involves a short passage of simultaneous singing and playing (creating ‘resultant tones’) and has various Wa-Wa effects with plunger mute (in one place combined with the resultant tones). In other words, a bit of fun for a bass trombonist with the right skills, together with an undemanding accompaniment.

Anyway, did I miss finding an existing template, or does Finale not have one for standard brass band?

[N Grossingink]

There is a Brass Band template included with Finale that is very similar to your setup. You can access it by going to File > New > Document from Template. It's in the Band Templates folder. The only changes that would be necessary are the staff grouping/bracketing for the Flugel and Solo Bass Trombone and the deletion of the unnecessary Timpani stave.

I'll attach a copy in case you don't have it.

N.

[David Ward]

Thanks N. I did have this all along, but somehow managed to miss it - old age!