“Outback Suite” is a suite of three pieces that can be performed together or as short standalone works. Each movement eliciting a scene from the beautiful and diverse Australia.
Filling a void in early four mallet literature, these pieces focus on developing core four mallet technique while sounding like recital works rather than etudes. Utilizing a 4 octave range, these pieces are accessible to most marimbists.
The driving rhythms of Boomerang focus on the double vertical stroke as well as single independent strokes, while the joyous melodies of K’gari (the world’s largest sand island) concentrate on combining double lateral strokes with double verticals. The Never, Never (the vast remote area of the Australian Outback) uses a free rhythmic style to enhance the players musicianship in performing four mallet rolls and using rubato phrases to express themselves musically.
Adapted from the first movement of “Outback Suite” for 4 mallet marimba, “Boomerang” has been expanded for percussion ensemble. Beginning with driving rhythms reminiscent of the Outback, shifting to a delicate melody that is passed around the ensemble, and ending with a return of the original theme. This piece is scored for 8-10 players and is a perfect fit for programs teaching a combination of students at a variety of experience levels.
Secure the Perimeter is perfect for the first-year percussion ensemble. Mallet parts stay within the C Major scale and rely mostly on stepwise motion to accommodate early pitched music reading, while the battery parts are well within the rhythm reading skills of first-year percussion students, and even allow for some simple multiple instrument changes.
Ready Player 4 is a collection of quartets designed to elevate the playing level of your percussionists by introducing students to ensemble playing as well as several new techniques, like thumb rolls, crush buzzes, muted triangle, etc. that they might not be exposed to in the concert band setting. Six quartets at three levels, battery and mixed instrumentation, allow for a variety of instruments, configuration, and skill.
The mascot for the Summerfield Charter Academy is the Stampede and their motto is 'Better Together’ which inspired this piece. Stampede begins with the galloping rhythm of the stampede getting closer and more energetic. The middle section shares a melody among all four players on bells. Each player is only responsible for their few notes, but when combined, create a beautiful lullaby, solidifying that the players are truly better together. Stampede is a lively piece for young percussionists and a wonderful introduction to mallet playing for a first ensemble piece. It is perfect for band programs that require bell kits and want to get the students excited about playing mallet instruments.
The Jivaro are the indigenous people of northern Peru and Ecuador, living in the tropical rain forests where the Andes mountain range meets the Amazon headwaters. Despite an historical warlike reputation, their modern culture provides a rich mythology belonging to a spiritual and mystical world. Daily life revolves around family, hunting, and agriculture.
This piece begins with the listener exploring the rain forest, listening for the sounds of rain amid the variety of calls from animals and insects. The ensemble transitions to the hunt, where the huntsmen stalk their pray with blow guns and poisoned darts. Back in the village, families harvest and prepare food as the fugue statement in the mallets recall children playing. Finally, the warrior’s theme is introduced in the battery to escalate the music and propel the listener to the jungle again.
Written for the Pittsford Middle Schools Combined Percussion Ensemble (Scott Quinlan, Director)
Each of the 7 duets in this collection for 2 players on 1 low-A marimba represents a “stack of stones” from a different country or culture. The interplay between the two marimbas aims to elicit the balance and harmony behind each monument. The variety of musical styles and varied techniques will have great appeal to students, teachers and listeners alike.
The Taíno were an Arawak people, indigenous to the Caribbean. Music played a significant role in their culture from recounting history, to celebrations, to spiritual guidance. It has been said that music played such a large role in everyday life that one of the most valuable gifts a Taíno could offer was a song. This intermediate 2-mallet solo for 4-octave marimba and track offers that gift!
Written for the intermediate marimba soloist, Cascade Effect is the perfect opportunity to showcase a soloist while still challenging the percussion trio. With optional opportunities for improvisation and the intertwining of all four percussion parts, this pieces is a constant drive from start to finish!
A cell in music is a “small rhythmic or melodic design that can be isolated, or can make up one part of a thematic context.” Rhythm Cell uses a combination of the Cuban cinquillo and Brazilian influences to form a rhythmic cell that starts the work and forms a basis for the melodic material that follows. Beginning with fun hand claps and snaps, each player moves individually to their instrument to begin their thematic material.
Just as the name implies, this work for early percussion ensemble is a peaceful and memorable tune that features the mallet instruments and provides optional percussion parts to round out the ensemble. Utilizing common chord and sticking patterns, Zen Garden is a piece that can be easily learned by the ensemble, but still has a full, complex sound.