Review

Stephen Paulus
The Road Home:

Arranged by Russell McKinney

9-part trombone choir Trombone ensemble 7 tenor, 2 bass trombones

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

This arrangement is made for a trombone choir in eight parts, with solo trombone added in the last verse. The eight parts are laid out in pairs with similar notes, the idea being to “create longer connected phrases.” Parts 7 and 8 are designated for bass trombones, while parts 5 and 6 are to be played on large bore tenors or bass trombones, with a view to a dark sonority for the entire piece. 

The music is based on a pentatonic folk tune called Prospect [also known as the Lone Wild Bird]. The melody first appeared in print in the Southern Harmony and Musical Companion of 1835. Mr. McKinney has taken the entire piece down a fifth, from F to B-flat, which fits trombone range better. Other than the transposition, the notes are derived directly from the choral original of Mr. Paulus. 

The is quite an effective work of transcription on the part of Mr. McKinney. I could not find reference to this work on the Cherry Classics website, since it is a new publication. However, the choral original and the trombone choir version can be found online, the choral version on Mr. Paulus’ homepage, and Mr. McKinney’s arrangement on Soundcloud.com. Well done, Mr. McKinney!