Away in a Manger Trumpet Duet

Away in a Manger is one of those pieces that I’ve written several arrangements of. In the past, I always strove to “do something” with the famous Christmas carol. I always took the creative approach. But this series of Christmas duets is meant to follow the same format as the Trumpet Hymn Duets that have become so popular. I want them to honor the mood and harmonies of the original Christmas carol.

I actually enjoy writing this way. It’s simpler. It’s more peaceful. And when I say more peaceful, I mean the music as well as the process of writing it. With these arrangements, I don’t feel the need to prove myself as a writer. The Christmas carols (and the hymns) are already beautiful and there’s no need to over do it.

I tell my students that an arrangement should always add value to the original composition. I consider an arrangement to be a failure if it deters from the beauty of the original music. In this Away in a Manger trumpet duet arrangement, I feel like what little I’ve added simply adds a tiny bit of flavor to an already delicious meal.