Here is my version of Jeremiah Clarke’s ''Trumpet Voluntary'' from his choice lessons for harpsichord, & his famous ’Trumpet Tune’, from ’’The Island Princess’’, an ideal coupling for a wedding!

Other transpositions can be purchased for the trumpet parts, contact me with your preference: keithterrett@gmail.com

I have made this arrangement with professional and or semi amateur ensembles in mind; two easier versions in progressively lower keys are also available.

For those among you who cry ’’No! it’s by Henry Purcell’’, I have to inform you that it and ’Trumpet Voluntary’ have been misattributed to Henry Purcell for over three hundred years! Recent scholarly investigations by eminent musicologists have revealed the true origins and composer of these two works is indeed Jeremiah Clarke. Trumpet Voluntary actually comes from his ’’Choice Lessons for the Harpsichord/Spinet’’, published in 1711.

This arrangement is for two solo Trumpets, Horn, Trombone, Tuba and optional timpani.

Trumpeters can choose the instrument of their choice, despite my allocation of Bb trumpet. I would suggest a D, Eb, C or even a piccolo trumpet. For the purists a natural trumpet would be perfect.

Clarke was a composer and organist, and a pupil of John Blow. He was joint organist with Croft at the Chapel Royal in 1704.

His music includes incidental music, cantatas, anthems, odes and harpsichord music, where there occurs ’The Prince of Denmark’s March’, better known as Trumpet Voluntary!

The composer Jeremiah Clarke had an unhappy ending to his short life of 37 years, he supposedly shot himself because of an unhappy love affair!

This arrangement is part of a series for brass quintet, solo trumpet & string quartet,and solo trumpet & organ, of wedding music for trumpet entitled ’’The Trumpeter’s Wedding Collection’’; due to be completed shortly.

An organ arrangement of Clarke’s harpsichord piece was made by William Sparke, who was the organist at Leeds Town Hall from 1859-97). It was published under the title of ’’Trumpet Voluntary’’; and ascribed to Henry Purcell.

This version included modifications to the melody by Sparke, and it appears that Sparke’s version was orchestrated by Sir Henry Wood, whose frequent performances at the ’’Promenade’’ concerts in London, turned it into one on England’s best known melodies; albeit under Sparke’s title and incorrect attribution.