A search found much biographical and published music information at http://users.penn.com/~jhilf. In a nutshell, John Jay Hilfiger’s musical career has spanned over thirty years. He studied horn at the Eastman School of Music, received a Ph.D. in music from the University of Iowa, and has since played professionally and served on the faculties of several institutions. Currently, provided my information is current, he is on the faculty of Castleton State College of Vermont and devotes much time to composing and arranging.

This is a most excellent collection at a very reasonable price to add to a quintet’s basic library—perfect for interspersing with marches on July 4th, providing reflective or triumphant “patriotic moments” depending on the selection. Great care is taken throughout to pass the melody around the group, and pairings are switched often enough that both listener and player will perceive these as a breath of fresh air blown into some very familiar tunes. Tuba range is from FF to e-flat and would probably “feel” best when played on BB-flat or CC tuba. While still playable on the higher e-flat or f tuba, the player might be fighting clarity at times. Range for the other instruments is no issue, and they too would probably relish a reading of this composer’s treatment of these classic hits. On this, an election year, you never know who your quintet might be asked to play for—but this set would be very handy!

Score, parts, printing, all live up to the high standard we have come to associate with Brassworks 4 Publishing.

~Phillip C. Black, Wichita State University & Wichita Symphony

International Tuba and Euphonium Association Journal, 2008.