John McAllister
Composer, Educator
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The Expandable Chamber Project

Easy to Advanced
The following music and arrangements come from an idea I've been developing for a while. These are a variety of tunes (classical arrangements, folk songs, etc) that are meant to be easily adaptable to varying instrumentations and groups. Each tune is five parts - basically SSATB - with optional percussion. My idea is that five musicians could be standing on a street corner/atrium of an auditorium OR a full ensemble can play them for a concert. These should work well as we navigate how to perform during COVID-19, but also continue to function well beyond (whenever that time comes!). 
Turkey in the Straw (~Medium-Easy)
This is an arrangement the popular traditional folk tune, Turkey in the Straw. The arrangement is meant to be light-hearted and upbeat, even a bit silly... I feel like the tune lends itself to that. This composition is mainly geared towards older players, BUT could be played by younger ones with practice. As with all of these tunes, it could also easily serve a full band piece. You could even play around with the structure (adding repeats, changing instrumentation, etc) to make it longer and give it some variety. Maybe you should have the woodwinds vs the brass and the losers are turkeys. Have fun!
BUy on smp - $5
Toccata and Fugue (Medium)
This is an arrangement Bach's famed Toccata and Fugue. I tried to make it as accessible and playable as possible. It is definitely an arrangement and NOT a transcription. Hopefully this will give some good access to musicians that need a quick and playable version for various events. It was premiered at my band's "socially distanced" Halloween Concert in 2020.
Free Pdf (as seen on video)
Purchase full arrangment and parts on sheet music plus
Twinkle Variants - (Medium Difficulty)
Twinkle Variants is my upbeat take on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I wrote in a style to allow the performers freedom to lean into the "fun" aspect of playing and entertaining. There are no dynamics, so add your own! Go with the phrase, maybe add some surprises. I'm Enjoy!
Purchse on sheet music plus - $6
Patriotic Tunes
This section will house patriotic arrangements that would be perfect for a chamber ensemble playing for any patriotic occasion. Check back often because more will be appearing! If one doesn't appear that you'd like to see, bug me about it :)
Yankee Doodle
smp press - $4
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Danse Macabre (Medium)
A fun arrangement of Saint Saens' Danse Macabre. Perfect for chamber ensembles to practice with some spooky Halloween-ish music!
Free PDF (as seen on video)
Buy full arrangement on Smp - $5
Majesty (easy)
This is a tune I wrote that would be great for musicians' first chamber ensemble. As with all of these, you could also play it with a full ensemble. I originally wrote this for brass quintet with the intent that it would be great one for younger players to start developing chamber music skills. Since it's expanded to be adaptable, lots of different combinations are usable (i.e. brass quintet but an alto sax covers the horn part). 
Listen/Purchase on SMP - $5
Glinka Polka - (Medium Difficulty)
This polka by Mikhail Glinka is originally for piano. One of the first prominent classical composers in Russia, the music definitely has a particularly "Russian" flair. This one may be better suited for woodwinds, but brass can definitely play it with some technical facility. It'd be a great workout for those trumpet valves. 
purchase on sheet music plus - $6
Minuet in G (in Eb) - (Medium Easy)
The ever-famous Minuet in G arranged for brass and/or woodwinds. This arrangement was transposed to Eb to make it a more friendly key for wind players. You can take some liberties and mix it up a good bit to make it longer if necessary. As with all of these arrangements, they do work for a full concert band as well. 
purchase on sheet music plus - $5
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  • Start Here
    • Blog
  • Music
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Expandable Chamber Project
    • Marching Band
    • Jazz
    • Chamber Music
    • Christmas/Holiday
  • Instruments
    • Flute
    • Oboe
    • Bassoon
    • Clarinet
    • Saxophone
    • Trumpet
    • Horn
    • Trombone
    • Euphonium
    • Tuba
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Band Theory
    • Warm-ups
    • Scales and Technique
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Jazz Center
    • Band Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Other Resources
    • Coronastress Relief
    • Posters
    • Clip Art
    • Free Christmas
  • Cinematic Series
    • Complete Warm-Ups Sets
    • Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Music Humor
  • Me