Spice up your brass quintet repertoire with some Mexican flavouring and a well-known tune that your audience will immediately relate to.

"La Cucuracha" (Spanish: "The Cockroach") is a lively traditional Spanish folk corrido that became popular in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.

It’s full of variety and everybody has something interesting to play. It begins with the main melody (A), which is followed by a simple fugue with a new second melody (B). After a brief swing passage ©, with another new melody, the flavour cools down with a tuba solo over a pianissimo backdrop (D + E). A horn solo follows over a rhythmic backkgrounnd (F + G). Yet another new theme is heard at H, this time as a trombone solo. The main theme returns at (I) with the full ensemble and is repeated at J with an optional high trumpet part, which can be played by a teacher or an advanced player. It is optional, though, and sounds fine without it, so don’t let that put you off. Mexican music sounds great on brass instruments and this piece is suitable as a short concert number for both intermediate and advanced level players.