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Here’s the story behind this;

The brass quintet at Ole Miss (and this was several years ago) formerly featured a second trumpet player who was a composer, and had written a children’s piece - for the three lower instruments in the brass quintet - called
“Three Billy Goats Gruff”…
…three players…three movements
As I recall, he asked us to read it at the end of a rehearsal - shortly before a recruiting tour…and then asked us to read it again at the end of the last rehearsal. (We assumed that he just wanted to hear his piece played…) When we were touring, the three of us were somewhat shocked to discover that we were expected to perform it (after only two read-throughs)…
… but we pulled it up - in front of the students at the schools - and played it.
Even this recital performance - at Ole Miss, upon our return – still didn’t have all the bugs worked out of it, because we really didn’t “practice/polish“ it… We just “muscled through” it (again: in front of a bunch of kids at a few schools).
… The three of us lived apart in nearly an equilateral triangular pattern - about an hour and a half apart from each other, so there was no “getting together“ - other than when we normally met.
Though certainly not at a wonderfully precise performance, the humor completely comes through, and I thought some of you might enjoy listening - and might (??) consider programming it on a recital (if for no other reason, to give the trumpets a break).
Of course, Ole Miss records all faculty recitals, but I was surprised to find this (uploaded by the composer) on YouTube. I was looking for something else, and saw it, clicked on a couple of the movements, and laughed again at Micah‘s trombone “goat bleats“.

Nice stuff, and well played!

I was searching YouTube for those little 4 - 5 second demonstrations of those makeshift mutes that I made for my cimbasso (to show someone else who built a cimbasso - and needed mutes), but I was obviously mentioned in the blurbs with these videos, so they showed up.
Micah is SO VERY funny, as is the piece.
I believe I would like to revisit it again sometime…and really put it together right… And include even more humor…but I couldn’t imagine playing it without Micah. I’m not sure that I know anyone else who could do such a perfect - and perfectly appropriate - job of over-playing.

Thanks...?

I had to listen to it again to remember what you were talking about. I didn't remember doing anything particularly special. The overplaying just seemed to fit, so I did it.

This reminds me a little of all the compliments I got after playing Pulcinella one time. Apparently they were accustomed to trombonists trying to make serious music out of that thing, instead of realizing that it was basically Stravinsky making a joke at Pergolesi's expense.

Hell yeah, it’s a compliment!
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I’m trying to figure out the arithmetic ratio or algorithm that involves F tubas, and how - as it becomes more likely that an F tuba is involved - the likelihood increases of “the ticket price - and attendance - approaching zero”...
set of classic examples: tuba recitals
…I guess this yet-untabulated algorithm is mostly true, unless the F tuba is used to cover parts written for obsolete instruments…
… or, is it that I may have just revealed to myself - as well as everyone else - that the F tuba itself is obsolete…??
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“F tuba haters” - and those who view those who play them as “F tuba snobs” - are going to love this post.

I might be beginning to remember...(??)
The third movement probably has to do with battle-with and victory-over the troll...

I believe this piece could benefit from narration.

Cool stuff! Yes, narration would help captivate and entertain a young audience (well... most audiences ).