Composed by Clifton Taylor for solo marimba with percussion ensemble. Solo performed by Jason Baker, percussion ensemble audio electronically rendered by Tapspace Publications.

Concertpiece For Marimba and Percussion Ensemble

Mycological

Bandcamp

Sunrise Escape

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

Some Things - Mvt. 3 (Eric Willie)

Harpsichord concerti were written throughout the Baroque era, particularly by J.S. Bach. However, this “Allegro” from Bach’s Concerto for 4 Harpsichords & Strings (BWV 1065) is based on Vivaldi’s Concerto for 4 Violins in B minor (RV 580). For one composer to “borrow” material from another during Bach’s time was considered a flattering gesture.

Mallet instruments have much in common with the attack and decay properties of harpsichords, making arrangements such as this a natural choice. Slawson’s orchestrations bring this piece to life, and it will make an excellent addition to the repertoire of any percussion ensemble wishing to highlight a Baroque selection for mallet instruments.

This arrangement of Concerto in A Minor has been heard worldwide on the popular CD "Bach on Wood," which helped garner Brian Slawson a Grammy nomination for “Best New Classical Artist.

Sheet music available from http://www.tapspace.com

Concerto in A Minor:“Allegro” (Bach; arr. Brian Slawson)

The title It's in 4 comes in the form of an answer to a question that was posed during a parade in which this cadence was utilized to "coordinate" the footsteps of the performers. In this case, the performers were the members of the Santa Clara Vanguard, the questioner was an SCV staffer (who shall not be named), and the "questionee" was drumline instructor Murray Gusseck. The dialog went something like this: "That sounds like $&#. What $*%*#@^ meter is that in??"

Gusseck's answer became the new name for the cadence. And now It's in 4 has been refurbished and shined up with new life for your listening and downloading pleasure. Clocking in at over two minutes, this behemoth has some old school and some new school mixed together that would challenge anyone. The piece has been tweaked for increased playability and less ticks, so don't be afraid to dive in and start swimming.


It's in 4 (Murray Gusseck)

"POOF! You're loose!" was what Scott Johnson used to say to the members of SCV's 1992 drumline when they complained about needing to warm up. This old-school 60-second warmup was then marching member Murray Gusseck's tip of the aussie to Scott and the gang. Don't let the phrase "old-school" fool you though...POOF! runs the rudimental gamut in short order, so have your chops at the ready!

POOF! (Murray Gusseck)

The word "scintilla" was originally Latin for "spark." It is currently defined on dictionary.com as a minute amount; hint, trace, or particle. Newcomer Andrew Ziehm's Scintilla for marching battery ensemble has a hint of some spark, alright…lots of it. The phrase, "It's all in the details" seems apropos when listening to this sophisticated work by a very young composer.

The piece effortlessly mixes 6/8, 4/4, and 7/8 and keeps dancing the whole time. Particularly scintillating bits are during the 6/8 sections where the interplay between snares, tenors, basses, AND cymbals create not so much a theme as a vibe. Very cool stuff!


Scintilla (Andrew Ziehm)

Josh Brickey raises the battery etude bar a couple notches higher with Seven Is Heaven. Brickey masterfully weaves in and out of 7/8 time in a way that is at once both complicated and groovy. Performers must master both density and dynamics in order to get a grip on the piece. From start to finish, you'll get more than your fill of notes with this one…and a healthier understanding of odd time signatures to boot. Kudos Josh!


Seven Is Heaven (Josh Brickey)

Champion snare drummer Jeff Queen serves up a juicy plate of "get some" with this new parking lot jam for battery entitled Uncle Ted. Performers will have all aspects of their playing challenged--dynamics, density, and rhythmic integrity. Audiences will have their minds blown. Written in the spirit of early 90's warmups (only in 7/8 this time!), the piece goes from single-hand sections to chop-busting hybrid rudiment phrases the whole family can enjoy…especially Uncle Ted! Those swung 16ths are for you buddy!

Concerto in A Minor:“Allegro” (Bach; arr. Brian Slawson)

Tapspace

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