A Gliss is Just a Gliss

PERFORMANCE NOTES*****A Gliss is Just a Gliss is an easy trombone smear in the style of Henry Fillmore. It can be performed by a first-year trombone student or trombone section. The tempo should have a ragtime feel in slow two. Students who have not yet learned cut-time can be taught in 4/4 time. After becoming familiar with the music, they can then be introduced to 2 in a bar. A study staff for three new notes for beginners is provided at the bottom of the solo part, A Gliss is Just a Gliss is a very enjoyable piece for young trombonists. In addition to being fun to play, it is also an excellent vehicle for introducing students to American popular music at the turn of the 20th century. Students will be intrigued to learn that ragtime is the father of jazz and the great grandfather of music that young people enjoy today. A full band arrangement of this solo is available under the title T-Bone Sliders. Thank you for selecting this composition. I trust you and your students will find it instructive and enjoyable. Sincerely, Joseph Compello About the Composer*****Joseph Compello was an instrumental music teacher in Maryland Public Schools for 31 years. After earning his undergraduate degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree from Towson University, Compello entered the teaching profession. From the very beginning of his 31 year career, he composed and arranged music to meet the specific skills of his students. In 1994, Andrew Balent, then editor of Carl Fischer's educational music division, began publishing many of Compello's classroom-tested compositions. His debut publication was a march for beginning band titled Cadets on Parade. In 1996 his best-seller Rock to the Max, Mr. Sax earned him a regular spot on the Carl Fischer writing staff. In 1999, Larry Clark continued to publish Compello's music while encouraging him to expand his writing style. Now retired from teaching with over 200 published works to his credit, Compello continues to draw on his extensive background in music education to compose new music for school bands and orchestras. His music for young players is now a model for college curricular study by music education students. A master's thesis by Abel Borg entitled "The resourceful and engaging compositions for beginning band by Joseph Compello" is available at York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Compello's journey from school teacher to internationally published composer was chronicled in the Baltimore Sun. His ASCAP award winning music is now performed worldwide in venues ranging from school concerts to Carnegie Hall. 2021 will mark Compello's 27th year as a contributor to Carl Fischer's catalogue of music for young bands.