This month we’re bringing you major updates from TMEA, along with a fantastic selection of new percussion ensembles, drumming solos, and small ensemble pieces. We’re also featuring Magical Mallet Melodies, a sweet collection for young mallet players, and announcing that Five Minute Drill and Nine Minute Drill are now finally available on MakeMusic Cloud!
Tapspace at Booth 1163 (Feb 13–15)
We’re excited for our annual trip to San Antonio for the TMEA convention — good food, good friends, and a whole bunch of music education!
Come say “Hi” at Booth 1163 and explore our latest releases and staple pieces, all curated with Texas music educators in mind.
Two Must-Hear Percussion Ensembles
Black Waves, Bright Moon
Russell Wharton’s latest work engulfs listeners in a cosmic-horror soundscape blending eerie textures, ominous harmonies, and intense rhythms for a suspenseful, hair-raising experience.
Valor Day
Tom Rarick composed this piece to honor Lt. Matthew Vandegrift’s legacy through a dynamic blending of militaristic and modern influences with rhythmic motifs inspired by his battalion’s emblem.
Charming, Expandable Mallet Trios
This collection of five expandable mallet trios helps young percussionists develop their keyboard skills, progressing from two- to four-mallet techniques. With flexible instrumentation and optional percussion parts, Magical Mallet Melodies offers an engaging way to build musicianship in a chamber setting.
Push Your Rudimental Prowess
Drachten-Elisabeth (Multi-tenor version)
This adaptation by Matt Penland transforms John Mark Reilly’s traditional snare solo into a modern marching multi-tenor piece, maintaining the original’s spirit while adding new dimensions for advanced players.
Stutter
Stutter by Keaton Jones is an advanced piece for solo snare drum that explores irregular rhythmic groupings and various bounce stroke techniques to create stutter effects while challenging the performer’s rudimental skills.
Now Available On MakeMusic Cloud!
We’re thrilled to report that two of our most popular educational resources for percussion, Five Minute Drill and Nine Minute Drill, are now available on MakeMusic Cloud!
This all-in-one music practice and assessment platform is designed to help students reach their goals by featuring customizable assignments, instant feedback, and a vast library of repertoire.
We’re excited for all the Five and Nine Minute Drill users out there to be able to take advantage of these digital tools. In a few simple clicks, students can load an exercise and really dig in with adjustable tempo, looping capability, and other interactive features!
New Quintets!
Aprés Rebonds
Inspired by Iannis Xenakis’ Rebonds, Luis Rivera’s new work has reimagined the energy and essence of Rebonds in a chamber setting through inventive rhythms, orchestration, and a blend of textures.
Cascade
Cascade by Zach Paris is a contemporary percussion quintet that blends Japanese Taiko drumming and atonal improvisation, capturing the contrast between the powerful turbulence of waterfalls and their tranquil surroundings.
