[Trombone-l] Of new trombone quintets

[Alisha Ard]

Robert, et al-

With regard to the Mormon church's handbook position on trombones,  
just so you know I lived in Utah for nearly 8 years, and for the last  
half of that played in the Orchestra at Temple Square - a recently  
formed group that accompanies the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt  
Lake City.  The trombone players in that group (and a lot of them are  
still there, but some were students like me and moved after  
graduating) are an excellent bunch and it nevertheless doesn't sway  
the authors of said handbook.  (Maybe because the low brass section  
could easily bury the whole choir if we weren't careful. :)

The reason still is ignorance because people don't want to believe  
that good quality brass can be 1000 times more edifying than some  
awful middle school flute student or a hobbyist string player  
scratching away out of tune.

I'd recommend, if you're in this situation, simply appealing to the  
local bishopric or stake presidency if you'd really like to play, and  
make your case.  I have played in sacrament meetings several times  
with other BYU students, and didn't offend anyone.  They were all  
pleasantly surprised.  Also, Newell Dayley, who composed several of  
the LDS hymns, is himself a trumpet player, and he has played in  
stake conference even.  It's not expressly forbidden, people just  
don't know.

My problem now, however, is in order for me to put together a nice  
trombone quartet for church I'd have to get three other players who  
aren't Mormon, and get them to agree to do it for free!



Alisha Marie Ard
   --trombone--
(818) 919-3344

"...the citizen who thinks he sees that the commonwealth's political  
clothes are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate  
for a new suit, is disloyal; he is a traitor."
-Mark Twain


On May 3, 2006, at 9:17 AM, Jason Smith wrote:

> "Organs and pianos are the standard instruments used
> in Church
> meetings. If other instruments are used, their use
> should be in keeping with
> the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with a
> prominent or less
> worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion,
> are not appropriate for
> sacrament meeting."
>
> What church handbook is this from.  This has got to be
> the biggest bunch of hooey I have ever seen.  The
> trombone as many music historians would tell you got
> its "start" playing in church as early as 11th or
> twelveth century or sooner(I'm going from memory).
> I'll be quiet now sorry for the rampage.
>
>
>
>
>   --- ROBERT SLAVEN <robertslaven at shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Sigh.  Oh, to be in a church like that!  From my
>> church's music handbook:
>>
>> "Organs and pianos are the standard instruments used
>> in Church meetings. If other instruments are used,
>> their use should be in keeping with the spirit of
>> the meeting. Instruments with a prominent or less
>> worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion,
>> are not appropriate for sacrament meeting."
>>
>> Oh well.  Our region has an annual classical music
>> night; last year I broke the brass barrier with
>> Panis Angelicus (trombone duet and piano) and a
>> trombone/violin/cello "Sleepers Wake".  This year
>> it'll be Pachelbel's Canon and Golliwog's Cakewalk
>> (both me and piano).
>>
>> Robert