- Solo Title: Ruby
- Composer and Arranger: Hale Ascher VanderCook (1864-1949)
- Publisher Code: Rubank 04470002
- Date Published: 1938
- Clef: Bass
- Purchase Link: Sheet Music Plus
- Recordings: Trombone Gems, Solo Collection, Rubank
The first solo in a collection of progressive solos for the trombone, Ruby is an easy level solo that allows for the soloist to primarily play eighth notes and quarter notes. Occasionally, the solo pushes into an eighth-two-sixteenth-note pattern. Vandercook has challenged the soloist to beware of key signatures as this solo contains the keys of F (one flat), Bb (two flats), and Eb (three flats). In addition, the soloist will have to identify markings in the music that lead from a Del Segno (“D.S”) to the sign, and then navigate to the Coda portion that leads to the finale of the solo with one line at the tempo of Allegro. Ruby is an excellent introduction for a student that focuses on counting, both in the solo and accompanying rests, as well as following the different musical roadmaps involved in this fine work.
| Movements and Tempo Markings | Duration | |||||||
| Andante - Moderato - Allegro | 3' | |||||||
| Organization’s Class and Grade Levels | FMEA | ISSMA | ITA | NYSSMA | OMEA | PMEA | UIL | |
| (What is This?) | NL | NL | 3 | 1 | NL | 1 | 3 | |
| Grading Points Scale | Level | Total Points | Range | Rhythm | Tempo | Duration | Bonus | |
| (What is This?) | - | - | Bb2 to D4 | 16th | 90 bpm | 3' | Key Signature | |
| 2 (2.3) | 11.5 | 1.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||