Sheet music available from Tapspace at www.tapspace.com.

Tapspace Concert Literature

Despedida de Haydn (Joseph Haydn; arr. Stephen Primatic)

Sheet music available from Tapspace at https://www.tapspace.com.

The Final Boss (Andrew Smit)

Freerider (Patrick Speranza)

The Stars Began to Burn (Matthew Gillott)

An American Dream (Brian Slawson)

Again (John Herndon)

Cyclone is an ambitious piece by Jim Casella, was written to feature a quartet of marimba players who play on two marimbas that face each other. The parts are all playable with two mallets, and players are frequently called on to reach across to the marimba opposite them. Also, marimbists embark on a literal "cyclone" around the instruments, swapping physical positions with one another and running around the instruments towards the inevitable swirling climax.

Inspired by true accounts of a friend's recent expedition of Mt. Everest, this quartet is accompanied by seven multipercussionists and piano. It depicts both determination and danger, with an implied circular motion by way of quick, repetitive, six-note figures. Complete with echo effects of grandeur and spaciousness, Cyclone is an energetic, cinematic work that becomes relentless and violent. The faint of heart need not apply!

Sheet music available at http://www.tapspace.com


Cyclone (Jim Casella)

Written for the Phantom Regiment percussion ensemble, Rochambeaux was awarded first prize in the 2001 DCI percussion ensemble competition. The dominating 7/8 feel, flashy keyboard runs, and ethnic modalities drive the three distinct sections of this groove-based work.

As an option, an 11th player may be added as a featured marimba soloist. There is a separate part for this optional soloist which can be featured over an elongated treatment of the slower, middle phrase. Other solos may be traded among some (or all) other performers during the 6/8 African section ensuring that no two performances of this piece will ever be the same. Certain to garner audience appeal!

Sheet music available at http://www.tapspace.com


Rochambeaux (Brian S. Mason)

Stormbreak was written by Jim Casella for intermediate ensembles as a sequel of sorts to Technology, another moderately simple piece for percussion octet by Casella that has since become quite popular. Opening with nature-effect sounds, the storm breaks into a rhythmic “tip of the hat” to Technology on the rim of the snare drum. As rhythmic layers add in, the syncopated motif of Stormbreak becomes clear and continues to drive the piece throughout.

Certain parts are more challenging than others, and syncopation is of particular demand. However, numerous repeat bars are used, as the primary goal is to develop the players’ collective ability to understand how their parts groove and interact within the mix of their fellow groove-playing compadres. For more advanced players in the ensemble, solo sections are included which feature timpani, snare drum, and concert toms.

Stormbreak can stand alone as a percussion octet, but it also comes with the option of being played by a full wind ensemble. During wind ensemble concerts, the percussion section can sometimes be relegated to the back. So this option acts as something of a percussion ensemble “feature” that can be programmed into wind ensemble concerts.

This piece comes with a full, bound folio containing a full score with wind ensemble and a separate score for percussion ensemble only. Also included is a CD-Rom containing reference audio recordings and all individual parts available for printing.

Score available from http://www.tapspace.com

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