Ensemble: 3 tenor trombones, 1 bass trombone
Duration: ~7'20"
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
 
Program Notes
Ro-Sham-Beau is another name for the old game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Each movement represents the different character of the three combatants in this age-old struggle. "Rock" is sturdy, grand and heroic. "Paper" is multi-layered and mysterious, humanity's greatest storyteller. "Scissors" are angular and menacing, but also industrious and dynamic. Not only is the harmonic language of each movement unique, but the roles of the four trombones change between them. In "Rock", all four voices primarily work together to create tall, powerful sonorities. "Paper" is full of dialogue, different voices taking the lead from moment to moment. Finally, "Scissors" is two versus two, in timbre, texture, range, and contour. We will never know who comes out on top!
 
Many thanks to Brian Taylor, who commissioned this work. The creative process was joyful and exciting from the very start. His enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and whimsy is as much a part of this music as any creativity of my own.