The Cage We Make is a not-so-subtle nod to the percussion quartets of John Cage, most notably his Constructions. The work is built around the rhythmic pattern of 2-3-5-7-11 with its various forms being manipulated through retrograde, canon, rotation of the…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Wes Stephens
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Deep Beneath the Ice is a tuneful piece for solo marimba that offers the performer many opportunities for musical expression. A calm, song-like beginning builds to a climax of cascading arpeggios, shifting the harmony and texture to a place in which melodies…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Stephen Karukas
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Expressively textural in one moment and relentlessly groovy in the next, It Flows is a challenging and varied work for marimba and alto saxophone that includes polyrhythmic textures, exciting hocketed lines, and soaring saxophone melodies. The constantly…
Style:
Woodwind, Percussion
Composer:
Stephen Karukas
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Optimal Damage is an exciting percussion quartet for accessible instruments. Solo/duo opportunities take place over a groovy backbone, including wood block “snare breaks” and polyrhythmic illusions that create a fun challenge for both students and seasoned…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Stephen Karukas
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
With a title coming from the Vedic god Rudra, the god of the roaring storm and a fierce entity of destruction, the entire quartet is based on the idea of compression, acceleration, and intensifaction. There are even some elements of rock music, which is sure…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Payton MacDonald
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Three Interludes is a collection of pieces which are meant to explore the rhythmic and timbral possibilities found in standard percussion instruments. These challenging pieces are great for intermediate and advanced students to showcase their chamber music…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Wes Stephens
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
These three expressive etudes for 4-mallet low-A marimba - Turnings, Changes, & Pivots - explore common (and uncommon) sticking permutations and stroke types in fresh harmonic setting that encourage a highly musical approach to the instrument.
Grade Level…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
Payton MacDonald
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Designed to evoke images of primitive life, To Live and Die in the Wild utilizes a range of sounds, including intense ritual drumming, intricate polyrhythmic cells, and weeping, howling effects made possible by fading between different drums and rolling on…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Stephen Karukas
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Filled with musical and technical challenges, To See is a robust intermediate solo for low-A Marimba that is sure to help performers grow.
Grade Level: 4 Copyright: 2022 Number of Players: 1 Publisher: C. Alan Publications Category: Solo Works
Listen to…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
Payton MacDonald
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Inspired by South Indian Carnatic music and the percussion works of Xenakis, Xati is an exciting yet sophisticated tambourine quintet, filled with polyrhythms and primitivism.Program NotesIn the spring of 2007 I spent two months listening to South Indian…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Payton MacDonald
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications