- Solo Title: Sapphire
- 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
VanderCook’s Sapphire is certainly one of the more challenging solos in the Trombone Gems collection. As the third to last solo in this progressive solo series, the key signature centers around Eb (three flats) and Ab (four flats). Several times the soloist will play short, sixteenth note running up to G4. This solo contains a balanced mixture of scalar lines with arpeggiated motifs that will push the soloist to play in a technical but musical manner. The lowest note, G2, occurs in the last few measures and the solo goes through inverted Eb triads ending with a resounding Eb finish.
| Movements and Tempo Markings | Duration | |||||||
| Maestoso - Moderato - Allegro | 3' | |||||||
| Organization’s Class and Grade Levels | FMEA | ISSMA | ITA | NYSSMA | OMEA | PMEA | UIL | |
| (What is This?) | NL | NL | 3 | 3 | B | 3 | NL | |
| Grading Points Scale | Level | Total Points | Range | Rhythm | Tempo | Duration | Bonus | |
| (What is This?) | - | - | G2 to G4 | 16th | 100 bpm | 3' | Key Signature | |
| 3 (2.6) | 13 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||