Taps

For solo trombone and trombone ensemble, or concert band,
or orchestra, or 8 part cello ensemble
Duration: 3′

Originally commissioned by the Brevard Music Center trombone choir, in memoriam to Bill Zehfuss

Adaptation for Concert Band dedicated to Colonel Jason K. Fettig, and to all of my friends and colleagues at the Marine Band

instrumentation:

flute 1-2, oboe 1-2, bassoon 1-2, Bb clarinet 1-3, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet alto saxophone 1-2, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
Bb trumpet 1-3, horn 1-4, trombone 1-2, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba timpani, percussion 1-3
double bass
percussion needed:
Mallets 1: glockenspiel
Mallets 2: chimes
Perc.: suspended cymbal, triangle

Several years prior, I was originally commissioned to do a new setting of “Taps” in memory of Bill Zehfuss, who was a longtime faculty member at the Brevard Music Center, and a good friend. That version for solo trombone and trombone ensemble has been performed numerous times, and was recently featured on a PBS NewsHour tribute on Memorial Day of 2021. The performers were the members of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, with a voice-over by PBS anchor, Judy Woodruff.

This new version for concert band is dedicated to Colonel Jason K. Fettig, and to all of my friends and colleagues at the Marine Band, and other military bands, and is written in a way such that it might be available to players at all levels in bands around the country.

~ Jim Stephenson; July 6, 2021