Betwixt and Between, for solo trombone, string quartet, and marimba
by Kim Scharnberg
$27
"Growing up as a young trombonist in Iowa, I studied with the late/great Dr. John
Hill at the University of Iowa. Each and every lesson he would tell me about one of his former students
who was the consummate trombonist, fluent in jazz and classical music. This was my introduction to the
legend of Bill Booth. I moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to sub with the Pacific Symphony in
Orange County. One evening a gentleman slides into the principal chair two minutes before the downbeat
and, lo and behold it's Bill Booth! I think my first words to him were something like, “Nice to meet you!
I hate you and heard about you in every single lesson for years!” Of course, I was kidding and we went
on to become good friends, car pool buddies and colleagues on many projects. He asked me to compose
this piece for his then-upcoming solo album and it represents one of my first forays into the world of
brass chamber music composition. The title comes from my observations of Bill's decision-making
process from anything to positioning a light switch in a house addition to the perfect way to play
something.” - Kim Scharnberg
Hill at the University of Iowa. Each and every lesson he would tell me about one of his former students
who was the consummate trombonist, fluent in jazz and classical music. This was my introduction to the
legend of Bill Booth. I moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to sub with the Pacific Symphony in
Orange County. One evening a gentleman slides into the principal chair two minutes before the downbeat
and, lo and behold it's Bill Booth! I think my first words to him were something like, “Nice to meet you!
I hate you and heard about you in every single lesson for years!” Of course, I was kidding and we went
on to become good friends, car pool buddies and colleagues on many projects. He asked me to compose
this piece for his then-upcoming solo album and it represents one of my first forays into the world of
brass chamber music composition. The title comes from my observations of Bill's decision-making
process from anything to positioning a light switch in a house addition to the perfect way to play
something.” - Kim Scharnberg