MULTIPLE PERCUSSION SOLOS, with accompaniments as indicated

Scored for 3 congas,
this solo involves realizing different "melodies" or fragments of melodies, which are juxtaposed over recurring ostinato patterns. It employs a variety of hand techniques to achieve the subtle nuances required, while keeping the prominent groove moving.

adv. high school/college

Video Sample

Digital Download Version

Scored for 4 congas, this solo explores melo-rhythmic patterns much like 3 congations, however it is made more challenging by adding a fourth drum.

 adv. high school/college.

Duo for
multi-percussionist
and computer/tape soundtrack.
A technically and physically challenging journey through
the worlds of polyrhythmic structures,
asymetric phrases,
repetition, noise, melody. . . .
The percussion performer
interacts with high-energy recordings of
spontaneous performances
by the composer
as well as
computer-driven
melodic phrases. Large
multi-percussion
set-up, including in addition to a variety
of toms, bongos, timbales and cymbals,
3 sawblades and a
frying pan!
Recording included -
duration ca. 12'. college/professional.

"The publication 'goes the extra mile' in providing the
soloist with every possible aid, from the
clearly written and detailed performance guidelines,
to the legible score, which includes the tape part, comments and directions, and a
performance tape as well
as a practice version with
the percussion part realized, making this an attractive package for a serious college percussionist." (Percussive Notes)

Ensemble for One is dedicated to Japan, in remembrance of the tragedy of 11 March 2011. This piece, in a single movement requires four-mallets, a 5-octave marimba and a multiple percussion set-up consisting of bass drum,
3 temple blocks,
4 tom toms and a
Chinese cymbal.

[A version for soloist and orchestra is also available.]
college/ professional.

One of the first titles in
the repertoire for percussion and recorded sound, this classic recital piece has been
re-worked so as to be played with CD accompaniment.
The piece is a duet between
multi-percussionist and taped sound - in which the
percussionist employs a
variety of unique performance techniques utilizing a bow
and various types of mallets. Instrumentation:
orchestra bells, anvil,
sus. cymbal, triangle,
vibraphone and cowbells (4) - CD included.
adv. high school/college.

This solo multiple
percussion piece uses
many pitched and
non-pitched percussion instruments.
Inventions On A
Polyrhythmic Motif
is a rhythmically active
work requiring stamina and technical endurance.
A very difficult and
challenging piece for the advanced percussionist. college/professional.

Jerusalem 1099, scored for
solo multiple percussion, sonically depicts the
crusaders’ capture
of Jerusalem in the year 1099. It may also be considered symbolic of our earthly
journey to the heavenly Jerusalem. The final section, played on ringing bowls, quotes a traditional Latin burial antiphon, “Into paradise…Jerusalem.”
. . . Brett Jones

Instrumentation:
Graduated Toms (4),
Brake Drum, Cymbal, Cowbell,
Bass Drum and Bowls (6).
adv. high school/college.

Scored for three congas and a pair of bongos - one player, moderate difficulty.
This piece provides a touch of
Latin flavor and introduces the technical aspects of modern notational systems.
adv. high school/college

2nd place winner
in the PAS Composition Contest 2005! college/professional.

Scored for a set-up that includes drums as well as a number of small percussion instruments - one player.

A challenging solo, with the use of many contemporary percussion techniques - a good choice for the advanced level recital.

Five movement suite, for solo percussion, inspired by a visit to the city of Nara in Japan. Instrumentation: tom toms, timpani (1), bass drum, crotales, temple blocks, chimes (C and F#), cowbells ,triangles, tam tam, wind chimes and cellophane paper. adv. high school/college.

[Recorded on The Solo Percussionist/The Music of William L. Cahn -
CD 10339/NEXUS]

Three movement suite (Bourrée, Sarabande and Gigue), inspired by the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin by J. S. Bach. Instrumentation: timbales (4), four timpani, snare drum, sus. cymbals (2), triangle, bass drum w/ped. and wood block. adv. high school/college.
[Recorded on The Solo Percussionist/The Music of William L. Cahn - CD 10339/NEXUS]

"This is a publication that college percussion students should eagerly embrace. It has everything they could want - music that explores some intriguing sound possibilities, uses interesting playing techniques, and provides opportunities for musical performance." (Percussive Notes)

Theatrical interplay between three facets of music performance - the performer, the musical instruments used by the performer, and the sounds made on the instruments by the performer. Instrumentation: tam tam, sus. cymbal, triangle, tenor drum, timpani (1), xylophone, chime (B) and CD (included w/score). college.

A challenging work for
solo timpani and percussion, this is the fourth installment in
a series of works for solo instruments by composer Price. Exploring the
timbral relationship between timpani and
non-pitched percussion, this engaging piece oscillates between bombastic martial rhythms and lightly improvised passages. Instrumentation: timpani (4), bass drum, bongos, woodblock, splash, crash and China cymbals, bamboo or wood wind chimes and maracas. college.

A challenging single movement work, quite whimsical at times, scored for solo percussionist and electronic sounds (CD included). Composed for and premiered by Will Hudgins, the piece utilizes vibraphone, crotales, graduated drums (5) and graduated cymbals (5) - duration ca. 12'. college/professional.

Accessible recital work in two movements for the intermediate - advanced level percussionist - this piece would add a
unique aspect to any concert program!
Instrumentation: sus. cymbals (3), bongos (2), snare drum, tom toms (3), Jam blocks (2), bass drum, opera gongs (2), gong and optional tape accompaniment
(nature sounds).
adv. high school/college

This work links Marimba Music (marimba and electronic sound) and
Set-Up Music
(multi-percussion and electronic sound)
with an interlude for electronic sound alone,
into a "Suite" of three distinct movements. The interlude is based on the overtones of a low drone, and is heard again with bowed vibraphone
accompaniment
in Set-Up Music
(Mov't. III).
This "Suite" could fill a
substantial portion of an advanced recital - setting whimsy and technical display against serene and contemplative moments! For instrumentation see previous entry for
Set-Up Music. college/professional. [Includes CD]

Latin rhythms which reflect elements of pop culture are employed extensively in this solo multiple percussion work.  Ideally suited for the intermediate to advanced performer.  college.

In this challenging work, the actual instrumentation and the placement of instruments is left up to the performer - within some general guidelines. The work is to be performed on nine instruments - three each in three basic timbral groups: skin, wood and metal, and can be amplified for
additional impact. college/professional.

[Recorded
on Premiers Plus One/McCormick Duo -
CD RM01/HoneyRock]

Unique multi-percussion solo, player utilizes two percussion racks outfitted with an array of instruments situated behind a V-shaped assemblage of seven timpani. Instrumentation: timpani (7), tam tams (2), brake drums (2), tom toms (2), temple blocks (2), Chinese cymbal and crash cymbal, lions roar or cuica and ratchet. adv. high school/college.

Full of nuance, this piece was written to give experienced percussionist's the opportunity to explore the timbral possibilities available in the various small odds and ends of the percussionist's toolkit, those typically called "toys." Instrumentation: vibraslap, flexitone, low cymbal, medium cymbal, high cymbal, bell tree, 3 triangles - graduated in size, prayer bowl, tom-tom and snare drum. college/professional.

Digital Download Version

A poly-stylistic extravaganza, Variations is a work of medium difficulty for solo multiple percussion that combines and explores rock, jazz, latin, and classical styles in a traditional “theme and variations” construct. Combining contemporary performance technique with incessant grooves, the final jazz shuffle variation will undoubtedly bring the audience to their feet. Instrumentation includes: snare drum, bass drum w/pedal, toms (3), conga, bongos, woodblocks, hi-hat, splash, crash and ride cymbals and gong. college.

Scored for solo percussionist, this piece could be perceived as falling somewhere in the gap between "classical" multiple percussion solos and more drum-set oriented works. Overall this is a subtly challenging work, that displays a number of musical references to the classical work referred to in it's title. A unique addition to the multi-percussion recital repertoire. adv. high school/college.

For the advanced level performer, this is a challenging multiple percussion solo scored for a large and diverse set-up of percussion instruments. college/professional.

Digital Download Versions

SEE ALSO:

Memory of the Woods
for Solo Marimba
and
Sanctuary
for Marimba Duo

A tour-de-force for a solo percussionist.
Scored for Snare Drum
and small percussion set-up, Yellow Alert is a
solo movement from Homeland Security Suite
for Percussion.

A major new contribution
to the repertoire for the solo percussionist. This
composition continues in
the European tradition of
the big multi-movement concerto, here featuring prominently the percussion soloist's musical
ability on drum set and
timpani in particular. Percussion instrumentation: bass drum,
timpani, drum set, bells, tam tam, slapstick, tambourine, bongos, conga, wood block and
vibraphone. college/professional.  

Mov't. I - In The Classical Mode 9'57"

Mov't. II - In The Color Of Blue 6'01" Mov't.

III - In The Popular Mood 11'24" 

[Recorded on Sticks and Winds and Strings/Igor Lesnik - CD IL01/HoneyRock]

"The percussion part is
tastefully scored, and focuses primarily on the drumset, expanded to include timpani.
The percussion writing places
high demands on the musical abilities of the soloist,
. . . " (Percussive Notes)

Solo: $17.95

Score and Solo: $45.00