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marimba jams

Solos/Duets Favorties

Marimba

Solo Marimba piece-performed by Jesse Monkman-Impressionist syle
performed at Jordan Hall in Boston

Nocturnal Dance

This three-movement work for percussion ensemble and rhythm section will challenge players, but all will be satisfied by the musical result.

Until Morning Sings - Mvt. 3 (by David Reeves)

Here's a tasty jazz waltz for 4-mallet vibe solo. Med-Adv in level, its cool-jazz harmonies are complemented by playful rhythmic moments.

Bella (by Chris Munson)

A Cricket Sang And Set The Sun By Blake Tyson

“Heartbeats” is a programmatic, large scale percussion ensemble written for 15 percussionists and amplified choir (optional). The piece was written for and will be premiered by the Concord High School Percussion students at Groove! on February 20, 2014 in Elkhart, Indiana. The concept of heartbeats in relation to music, life, and more specifically rhythm, has always been a captivating thought for me. I think it is best described by Paul Pearsall in his book, “The Heart's Code: Tapping the Wisdom and Power of Our Heart Energy” when he states:

"There is no more obvious evidence of connection between our heart and energy outside the body than our heart's response to musical rhythms.....Our heart is the metronome of our body's biorhythm, and health happens when we are in rhythm within ourselves, synchronized with other living systems and moving to our preset beat rather than trying to respond to the driving beat of the stressful outside world...."

This seemed like a perfect theme to utilize the rhythmic qualities of percussion instruments, and the team effort and “oneness” that is involved in percussion ensemble playing. The Concord students have always played with so much heart that it was only appropriate that I write this piece for them and that they premier it. The piece is written in 5 sections: 
I.	Mojo 
II.	New Life 
III.	Murmurs/Adrenaline 
IV.	In Love
V.	Synchronization 

Mojo, the Swahili word for "heart," serves as an introduction to the overall piece and was written to accompany a video that will open up our production. I chose the various sounds and drumming techniques of Japanese Taiko drumming mixed with the haunting sounds of African voices chanting “Mojo,” as the heart and heartbeat is very important to these two cultures. The sound of the great Taiko is said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations. The pounding sound of the heart is introduced in a strong, dominating manner, and comes back throughout the piece in different forms. 

New Life is a celebration of new birth and a new heartbeat, symbolized by an energetic progression reminiscent of rock music. The heartbeat fades away, still in steady tempo, as the solo vibraphone hints at the theme of “Love” which comes later on in the work.

Murmurs/Adrenaline is meant to depict the troubles that come with heart murmurs in infants, as well as a heart rate speeding up and ultimately leading to a heart attack. The murmurs are represented with pointed attacks from the battery percussion as well as a constant hocket of accents and various syncopations which create an uneasy feeling. A gradual accelerando and rising melodic line carries the listener to the point where the heart attack happens and the heartbeat slowly dies away. 

In Love is a representation of the emotional and loving experiences we relate to the heart. I was inspired by the beautiful music of Benoit Jutras and Cirque Du Soleil to create a section that is heartfelt and emotional. A male and female vocalist sing together to signify the love found in our most meaningful relationships in life. The many changes in key represent that with love we can overcome many changes in life and persevere to something beautiful. 

Synchronization brings back the opening theme from the second section but presents it in a matter that is scattered and disjunct. The repeated theme is passed around the ensemble and eventually lines up at a faster tempo accompanied by unison hits from the battery percussion. The piece drives to the end with the mallets repeating the theme over and over and finally synchronizing with the battery percussion to end as “one!”


Heartbeats

Robert Oetomo arranges this classic song from "The Wizard of Oz" for solo marimba. Available from Tapspace at http://www.tapspace.com

Over The Rainbow (Arlen; arr. Robert Oetomo)

Purchase a copy of the sheet music here!:
http://www.ericpeelmusic.com/gymnopedie-no.-1-percussion-ensemble

The instruments were carefully chosen to best emulate specific orchestral sounds from Claude Debussy's arrangement of this timeless piano solo. For example, chimes are used to create the sound of the bell-tone technique played by the french horns in Debussy's arrangement. A more obvious example is how timpani played specifically with a soft mallet is used to emulate the double bass.

To minimize the size of the ensemble, some players have one or two extra instruments. The timpanist for example will play suspended cymbal at times. Also, both auxiliary parts have multiple instruments. This could be an ideal first guide for handling such a part. A group of eight dedicated percussionists will find a true and felt connection to legitimate classical music.

This piece is written for two Vibraphones (3-octave and 4-octave), Glockenspiel, Chimes, Xylophone, two 4.3-octave Marimbas, Timpani, 6in Triangle, Wind Chimes, Concert Bass Drum, two Suspended Cymbals. An alternate 3-octave Vibraphone part is included to substitute ensembles with no access to a 4-octave instrument. This is reflected in the included alternate score.

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Gymnopédie No. 1 for Percussion Ensemble

Alex Stopa arranges Charlie Chaplin's classic theme from "Modern Times" for solo marimba. Available from Tapspace at www.tapspace.com

Smile (Chaplin; arr. Alex Stopa)

Commonwealthgirrl&Berlin

Track 4 from the album "Safety In Numbers"

Night Of The Cold Noses

Performed by The Old Guard snare drummer, John Mark Reilly, "Drachten-Elisabeth" is a brawny rudimental snare solo blending a hybrid of orchestral, Basel, and Ancient shaped rudiments.

Sheet music available from Tapspace at http://www.tapspace.com

Drachten - Elisabeth (by J. Mark Reilly)

Also known as "Flight of the Fly" this is a marimba quartet arrangement of Brazilian composer Jacob Bittencourt's "O Voo Da Mosca." Sheet music available from Tapspace at http://www.tapspace.com.

O Voo Da Mosca (Bittencourt; arr. Primatic)

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

III. Beethoven's 5th Symphony (Waldman: arr. Murray Gusseck)

Final mix van “A Sky Full of stars” (Coldplay). Opgedragen aan Sjoerd Westra. 
Opname & techniek Robert Dorn
Arrangement: Peter Vulperhorst, Andries Renema, Robert Dorn.
All Percussion : Peter Vulperhorst
Fluiten : Andries Renema
Tinwistle, effects & keyboards:  Robert Dorn


Sky Full of Stars

Driving through many major American cities, it's hard not to notice the plethora of vacant and abandonded lots. Where once stood proud buisnesses, lavish homes, or civic buildings, there is now little more than a blank, grassy plot of land. Though the blank space on the canvas of the cityscape can be profoundly sad, something amazing happens within these empty spaces. Left alone, life swells forth, and these vacant lots start to produce trees, flowers, and grass. Many people have started referring to such lots as "Ghost Gardens." In this piece, you can hear where the lot once held a vibrant and exciting tone, only to slowly fade away and change. Through a series of transitional themes, the main idea reforms and comes back as the piece concludes, thus depicting the beauty of the land as it is reimagined.

Ghost Garden (for Solo Marimba) - Adam Hopper

Tangling Shadows for Oboe & Vibraphone

An Extraordinary Correspondence (for flute & marimba)

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)

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

Pure Imagination (Bricusse/Newley; arr. Stopa)

arranged with Nico Mendoza for the Mayfair High School Percussion Ensemble May 16 2012 