Stephen Foster Songs

Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864) composed over 175 songs which have become America's folk songs because they express in melody and lyrics the 19th century life of the common man. Many of his songs were written for minstrel shows as is the case with the first song in this suite 'Ring, Ring the Banjo'. 'Old Folks At Home' is the best known of all of his songs, and 'Oh, Susanna' became an immediate hit. It was picked up by the forty-niners and sung all the way to California by those involved in the gold rush. These three pieces contrast in style and make use of the glissando, a trademark of trombone playing in the minstrel style. Range is between high F and F below the staff. This is an outstanding addition to chamber music for the trombone.