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Falling to sleep on the night before Christmas is no easy task for a child. While anxiously dreaming of things to come, the clock ticks and tocks. Such is the story of Brian Slawson’s Christmas Day.
Following a festive statement from the solo chimes, holiday cheer spills forth in musical colors only percussion instruments can provide. The clock (temple blocks) starts its countdown to the big day amidst a light and carefree melody.
Rhythms are generally basic and repetitive. So besides providing holiday cheer, Christmas Day is a great vehicle in which to teach younger players the basics of handling 12/8 time. This piece gives entry-level players to prepare a rousing piece in limited time. You can’t wrap that kind of gift with a bow!
If you are looking for a fun piece to add to a holiday concert or just a cheerful and playful work, check out “Christmas Day” by Brian Slawson. It is well suited for the advanced middle school ensemble or high school group, providing many rhythmic challenges as the piece dances between a feeling of 12/8 and 6/4.
Slawson begins the piece with bells tolling in the distance, and the remainder of the ensemble joins in jubilation, setting the tone for the entire work. A vibraphone solo occurs after a repeat of the primary ideas and requires a mature player, as the solo uses quick arpeggios and some large leaps. All mallet parts are playable with two mallets, but require the performers to understand the different subdivisions within a bar of 12/8. The timpani part is rhythmically active, but requires no tuning in the middle of the piece if three drums are available.
“Christmas Day” presents some rhythmic challenges for a younger ensemble, but will provide a very rewarding experience for those willing to undertake the piece. This would be a perfect concert closer or opener for December concerts.
–Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
Falling to sleep on the night before Christmas is no easy task for a child. While anxiously dreaming of things to come, the clock ticks and tocks. Such is the story of Brian Slawson’s Christmas Day.
Following a festive statement from the solo chimes, holiday cheer spills forth in musical colors only percussion instruments can provide. The clock (temple blocks) starts its countdown to the big day amidst a light and carefree melody.
Rhythms are generally basic and repetitive. So besides providing holiday cheer, Christmas Day is a great vehicle in which to teach younger players the basics of handling 12/8 time. This piece gives entry-level players to prepare a rousing piece in limited time. You can’t wrap that kind of gift with a bow!
If you are looking for a fun piece to add to a holiday concert or just a cheerful and playful work, check out “Christmas Day” by Brian Slawson. It is well suited for the advanced middle school ensemble or high school group, providing many rhythmic challenges as the piece dances between a feeling of 12/8 and 6/4.
Slawson begins the piece with bells tolling in the distance, and the remainder of the ensemble joins in jubilation, setting the tone for the entire work. A vibraphone solo occurs after a repeat of the primary ideas and requires a mature player, as the solo uses quick arpeggios and some large leaps. All mallet parts are playable with two mallets, but require the performers to understand the different subdivisions within a bar of 12/8. The timpani part is rhythmically active, but requires no tuning in the middle of the piece if three drums are available.
“Christmas Day” presents some rhythmic challenges for a younger ensemble, but will provide a very rewarding experience for those willing to undertake the piece. This would be a perfect concert closer or opener for December concerts.
–Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
