Composer

Christopher Merz

Arranger

Christopher Merz

Category

Big Band

Level

Medium Advanced

Style

Even 8ths

Ranges

Duration

5:30

Description

Gabriel’s Lullaby is a ballad featuring trumpet (not flugelhorn), commissioned by Dowling High School (Des Moines, Iowa). The vibe is similar to Dave Douglas’s treatment of Rufus Wainright’s “Poses” from his album The Infinite. Each wind section gets a piece of the melody as well. The vibe is very peaceful, with a brief ensemble climax. Included are two sets of rhythm section parts—one that is entirely scored, and one that leaves more up to the creativity of the players. Section flugelhorns enhance the vibe, but trumpets in buckets are a reasonable substitution.