Ensembles
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| Imagined diVersions | Contemporary Quartet features 3 families of percussion instruments: membranes (bongos, snare drum, toms, bass drum), metals (suspended cymbals, China cymbal, hi-hat), and woods (claves, woodblocks, temple blocks, log drums). A wide range of colors and textures based around the Rondo form using as many variants on “Seven” as possible. Each performer plays the tambourine giving lots of opportunity for various Tambourine technical work. | (TEXAS UIL LIST, CLASS 1) | $45.00 | |
| Kingdom Five Departed | “A rhythm Poem” for 9 Percussionists. A fantasy tale written in Percussion sounds, featuring only Membranophones and Accessories in a Semi-classical vein. | (TEXAS UIL LIST, CLASS 1) | $45.00 | |
| Arabian Sketches | A percussion ensemble for eight players based on dances and rhythms from the Mid-east. The composition for western percussion instruments features the “Doumbek” which is a goblet shaped hand drum. Mid-eastern “Zil” and “Riq” can be substituted for the Finger cymbals and tambourine if desired for a more authentic effect. “Arabian Sketches” captures the “aura” of the fabled Mid-east described in novels and legends. | Grade 5 | 8 players | $45.00 |
| Tala | Experience the unique aspects of Classical Indian music! Based on a rhythmic pattern of twelve beats divided into groupings of 5 and 7 subdivided into 2-3-2-2-3. Written for strictly western instruments, Challenges the ensemble to rhythmic precision and ensemble awareness offering a small taste of the relentless energy of Indian music! | Grade 5 (TEXAS UIL LIST, CLASS 1) | 7 players | $45.00 |
| Phantasm III for Percussion Ensemble | Phantasm III is an imaginary “movie sound track” featuring the widest possible variety of intriguing sounds and colors. From its first moment with all performers exploring every imaginable possibility for suspended cymbal through a finale of spatial sixteenth notes Phantasm III drives forward with relentless energy. | Grade 5 | 7 players | $45.00 |
| Sorcery! | Orchestral style ensemble with 20th century harmony, and a driving timpani ostinato. | Grade 5 (TEXAS UIL ENSEMBLE LIST, CLASS 1) | 12 players | $40.00 |
| Mushroom Soup | A flashy fusion composition featuring bass and drumset with contrasting musical sections. | Bass and Drumset | 11 players | $40.00 |
| Soul of the new machine | A contemporary ensemble for a younger group, that features a wide range of colors and textures. | Grade 3-4 (TEXAS UIL ENSEMBLE LIST, CLASS 1) | 7 players | $30.00 |
Solo
| The Silence Between | Advanced Multiple Percussion Solo written for 4 toms, 4 almglocken, and opera gong. This is a minimalist set up that still explores an incredible vocabulary of sounds and effects. | $25.00 | |
| FireStorm | Very Advanced snare drum solo taking the marching idiom to new dimensions. | $11.00 | |
| Winds of Change | Advanced Concert Snare solo featuring every imaginable sonic possibility. | $11.00 | |
| Challenging Horizons | Snare drum collection of 11 solos progressing from intermediate to advanced featuring the latest techniques combined with good musical phrasing. | Grade 3-5 (TEXAS UIL SOLO LIST, CLASS 1) | $12.00 |
| Bamboo Dragon | Challenging Multiple percussion solo for concert toms, Bass drum, temple gongs, and wood block. Wide variety of colors, featuring sections requiring hand independence. ….”the sounds of the orient!” | Grade 5 (TEXAS UIL SOLO LIST, CLASS 1) | $14.00 |
| Counterpane II | Advanced snare drum solo highlightig both the visual and excitement of marching percussion. | Grade 5 | $9.50 |
Available through your local music store or direct from:
Michael Varner Music