Sonata by Williametta Spencer

Solo Title: Sonata
Composer and Arranger: Williametta Spencer (b. 1932)
Publisher Code: Southern Music Company, 3776384
Date Published: 1969, 1997, 2004
Clef: Bass and Tenor
Purchase Link: Sheet Music Plus
Recording: None

Spencer’s Sonata for Trombone was written for Robert Marsteller, long-time principal trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The entire sonata is filled with technical acrobatics that will require soloists to be very accurate with pitch and intonation. The second movement is slow and expressive, yet still requires attention to detail with interval jumps throughout the movement. The third movement contains several meter changes with a large portion in 5/8. Range should not be challenging as the highest note, a Bb4, occurs only once in the first movement.

Movements and Tempo MarkingsDuration
I. Moderato (q=116) - Meno mosso (q=100)5'
II. Slow, expressive (e=75)3'
III. Energetic (q=108)5'
Organization’s Class and Grade Levels FMEAISSMAITANYSSMAOMEAPMEAUIL
(What is This?)NLNLNL5NLNLNL
Grading Points ScaleLevelTotal PointsRangeRhythmTempoDurationBonus
(What is This?)--F2 to Bb416th100 bpm13'See Footnote [1]
5 (4.9)24.52.54310 (max)5
  1. Multiple Tonguing, (1), Clef Changes (1), Meter Changes (1), Syncopation (1), Interval Jump (1)