Michael Montgomery: Night-Time Stories for Beginner Double Bass Trio

About the Composition

Chamber music is an important element when studying a string instrument, and this collection of 12 short pieces is aimed at the beginner double bass trio. It enables young bassists to encounter chamber music from the earliest stages of study.

Each piece is 16 bars long and in 4/4 time, using a limited number of note values, employing arco, pizzicato, and bass percussion. The edition enables the players to read from a score format or a separate part, and repeats can be used to increase the length of each piece. The pieces can be played by quartet or larger forces and in any setting.

Table of Contents

1. Logs in the Fireplace
2. Moths Bumping on the Windowpane
3. Ready the Popcorn!
4. A Knock at the Door
5. As Guests Arrive
6. Sitting by the Fire
7. A Spooky Tale Shared
8. Outside in the Dark
9. Where Giants Dwell
10. Forest Nocturnality
11. Hordes of Bats
12. Evening’s End

About the Composer

Double bassist Michael Montgomery, a student of Robert Rohe (Principal Bass, New Orleans Symphony) and Lucas Drew (Principal Bass, Miami Philharmonic), earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in double bass performance from the University of Miami, played full-time in the bass section of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra for two decades.

He now lives in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where he teaches double bass at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and privately in his home studio. Michael has composed numerous works for young double bassists (including over five dozen short bass quartets for young students) which are published by Recital Music and two American publishers.

His articles about bass performance, literature, and teaching have been published in American Suzuki Journal, Bass World, and Pastoral Music.