James Stephenson

James Stephenson

composer and arranger
847.830.5882

Download a catalog
of Stephenson's music for trumpet.

To purchase an item go to the Music Store.

Trumpet with keyboard

Trumpet with orchestra or band

  • Concerto #1 for Trumpetfor trumpet with orchestra or band
    Jeffrey Work performs 'Concerto' at ITG, 2007
    Jeff Work performs 'Concerto'

    Jeff Work performs "Concerto for Trumpet"
    at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.

    Jeffrey Work performs 'Concerto' at ITG, 2007
    Jeff Work performs 'Concerto'

    Jeff Work performs "Concerto for Trumpet" at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.

    Listen

    listen

    Jeffrey Work, trpt
    w/ Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Concerto for trumpet."

    Download PDF

    Click the button for a free PDF-file download of the trumpet part.

    Read a
    review

    ITG, May 29, 2007

    The first soloist of the evening, Jeffrey Work, performed Concerto for Trumpet by James M. Stephenson with flawless accuracy, control, and great endurance. This extended two-movement work included beautiful lyrical lines, lots of multiple tonguing demands, and several recitative-like cadenzas. The concerto is wonderfully accessible in its harmonic language and was a real joy for the audience to listen to as played so brilliantly by Work.

    In this composition Stephenson has crafted an excellent piece of music with beautifully developed motivic ideas and a variety of textures that work as long as the soloist, ensemble, and director are all in top form, and on this evening, that was truly the case. The second movement, in particular, seemed to combine elements of a Herbert L. Clarke solo into a wonderfully modern context. The result was a technical tour-de-force that was greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience upon its conclusion. Well done!

    Gary Mortenson

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • Rextreme: Concerto #2for trumpet and orchestra

    Information

    Rextreme  [2010]

    Concerto for trumpet and orchestra

    Duration: 16:00

    Instrumentation: *3*3*32 - 4231 - t+4 - hp - pf - str - solo trumpet

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Rextreme Concerto."

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • The Russian concertofor trumpet, piano and string orchestra

    Listen

    listen

    Marc Reese, trpt
    Lisa Leonard, piano

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "'The Russian' concerto."

    Download PDF

    Click the button for a free PDF-file download of the trumpet part.

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • Duo Fantastiquefor two solo trumpet and concert band
    Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin perform 'Duo Fantastique' at ITG, 2007
    Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin

    Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin perform "Duo Fantastique"
    at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.

    Listen

     listen

    Charles Schlueter &
    Eric Berlin, trumpets

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Duo Fantastique."

    Download PDF

    Click below for a free PDF-file download of a trumpet parts.

    Read a
    review

    ITG, May 31, 2007

    After intermission, Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin took the stage to perform Duo Fantastique by James Stephenson. Berlin and Stephenson were both students of Charles Schlueter at the New England Conservatory. This piece was made possible by a generous grant from the Charles Schlueter Foundation. How thrilling it must have been for these former students to have this opportunity to collaborate with their mentor.

    In a theme and variation form, the Duo was wonderfully light-hearted, but presented with great musicality, control, and accuracy by the two soloists. Toward the middle of the work Schlueter presented an extended lyrical passage that was stunning in its musicality and attention to line through impeccable phrasing.

    Gary Mortenson

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • Queen of the Night Ariafor piccolo trumpet and concert band

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Queen of the Night Aria."

    Download PDF

    Click below for a free PDF-file download of a trumpet parts.

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • August in Yorkfor solo trumpet and concert band

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "August in York."

    Download PDF

    Click below for a free PDF-file download of a trumpet parts.

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • Cousinsfor trumpet, saxophone and orchestra
    Marsalis, Mack, Pak and Stephenson
    Marsalis, Mack, Pak and Stephenson

    Rodney Mack, Branford Marsalis, Pak and Stephenson
    at the July 15, 2007, premiere of 'Cousins'

    Pak conducts WYSO at the July 15, 2007 premiere
    Pak conducts WYSO at the July 15, 2007 premiere

    Jung-Ho Pak conducts Interlochen's World Youth Symphony
    at the July 15, 2007, premiere of 'Cousins'

    Listen

     listen

    Rodney Mack and Branford Marsalis with the Interlochen World Youth Symphony conducted by Jung Ho Pak

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Cousins."

    Download PDF

    Click the button for a free PDF-file download of the trumpet part.

    Read a
    review

    World Youth Symphony, guests shine

    By JOE RICE

    Special to the Record-Eagle

    Sunday evening's World Youth Symphony Orchestra concert was a particularly rare one for performers and audience alike.

    Celebrated saxophonist Branford Marsalis was the featured soloist "" a first for him at Interlochen. Marsalis made his mark first as a cutting-edge jazz musician, but like his equally well-known brother Wynton, Branford plays music all across the spectrum.

    In this concert, he was featured soloist in music by classical composers Giacomo Puccini and Gustav Mahler. Then the focal point of the evening was a world premiere composition by Interlochen alumnus James Stephenson, "Concerto for Saxophone and Trumpet." This work also featured trumpeter Rodney Mack, who is a second cousin to Branford and one of Stephenson's best friends.

    Mack is a formidable virtuoso. He's studied with his cousin, soloed with the Boston Pops and a number of other orchestras around the world and is principal trumpet for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

    One of the strengths of conductor Jung-Ho Pak is his more adventurous way of programming for the WYSO. The concert opened with Igor Stravinsky's "Greeting Prelude," an angular version of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate the 80th season of the Interlochen Arts Camp (originally called the National Music Camp). Then Marsalis was invited on stage to perform the two classical works Puccini's "Denaro! Nient'altro che denaro!" the lovely aria for mezzo soprano from the opera La Rondine, and Mahler's "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" ("I was misplaced in the world"), the moving melody Mahler took from the five Ruckert lieder. Here, Marsalis played soprano saxophone with great subtlety and sensitivity. The Puccini work in treble meter was sweet and lyrical. His entrance in the Mahler came out of nowhere, blending into the softness of the strings so that his tone emerged out of the violin sound. His vibrato and the purity of his tone showed another side to this remarkable musician "" and in contrast to his hard-driving jazz style.

    Then, without further comment from the conductor, Marsalis and Mack entered the stage, each loaded with instruments "" Marsalis with alto and tenor saxes and Mack with a C trumpet, a B-flat cornet and a piccolo trumpet.

    Stephenson's composition is built in three sections, quick, slow and quick. In it, I heard rhythms and harmonies that echoed the music of Paul Creston and Frank Martin. Those were, I think, tips of the hat to composers worthy of acknowledgement, but the music in this piece stands on its own. While it may not be considered groundbreaking in form or style, it is quite original. Each section includes conversational moments between sax and trumpet and other moments of delicious solo work that required virtuosic technique from both soloists. The opening section dances along in jaunty fashion with soloists exchanging comments, then coming together in harmony. The middle section is quite lyrical, offering each one ample time for melodious expression. The third section is a lively dance, which calls for a high level of skill.

    The solo parts throughout the piece are well thought out, and offer both musical and technical challenges to each. And the orchestra accompaniment provides a subtle but solid backdrop for the solos, but also has its moments in the sun. The work is very listenable, and as these two soloists continue their collaborations, this concerto will be a favorite. There is a very short list of good double concerto works for trumpet and saxophone. Branford and Mack complement each other musically, and I'm certain that when they collaborate again, it will include this work.

    It was annoying and disappointing that no mention of the composer's background, his connection to the soloists or his importance to Interlochen was made in the printed program and, at the end of the performance, he was not brought up on the stage to share in the well-deserved standing ovation. Stephenson is one of many alums of the Interlochen Arts Camp and graduates of the Interlochen Arts Academy who have distinguished themselves as world-class artists. He has established himself as an arranger, composer and professional trumpet player, and this world premiere performance certainly deserved recognition for him every bit as much as the two soloists, conductor and orchestra. All he got was a handshake at the foot of the stage, so only a few people in the audience even saw who he was.

    The WYSO closed the concert with Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story." To say the least, it was electric and thrilling. Maestro Pak is an energetic conductor, and the orchestra responds with equal amounts of energy. The alternating moments of quiet intensity and passion and the fiery, sometimes vicious times where the Sharks and Jets are in conflict, were powerful.

    The soloists in the orchestra were worth noting. Xylophone, timpani, drumset, the principal strings (violins, viola and cello), each member of the brass and the principal woodwinds all stood out. Bernstein's music is always a handful, especially if you're a high school musician, and these young people were up to the task. It meant the audience stood in loud and enthusiastic appreciation once more at the end.

    Joe Rice, of Traverse City, is a former high school band and orchestra director and current member of Encore Wind Symphony

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • NEXT-Caliburfor 3 trumpet--baroque, classical & jazz--w/orch

    Listen

    listen

    Clips from a live recording-

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "NEXT-Calibur."

    Download PDF

    Click below for a free PDF-file download of a trumpet parts.

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

  • Tribute to Louis Armstrongfor trumpet and orchestra

    Listen

     listen

    Rex Richardson, trumpet
    Docklands Sinfonia (London)
    Spencer Down, conductor

    View the score

    Click the button for a PDF-file download of the score for "Tribute to Louis Armstrong."

    Download PDF

    Click the button for a free PDF-file download of the trumpet part.

    Order

    Click to go to the sheet music store.

Trumpet miscellaneous

Brass Quintet

Horn

Trombone

Euphonium

Tuba

Home  |   Back  |   Contact Us

Website by Kineticjim     © Stephenson Music, Inc.