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John Philip Sousa’s magnum opus The Stars and Stripes Forever has now been expertly realized for mallet quartet by Tyler Tolles. Scored for four players on two marimbas (and optional xylophone), this arrangement conjures fresh charm from a classic piece of American musical history.
The work calls for Player 1 to play the “piccolo solo” on a xylophone for maximum effect or, optionally, on the top end of a low A marimba if a more minimal setup is preferred. Either way, Tolles’ adept arrangement makes the piece sound as if it were originally conceived on these instruments.
The Stars and Stripes Forever ships as a fully bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for either printing or tablet viewing.
Xylophone (optional, but preferred)
2 Marimbas — (1) 5-octave, (1) low A
Tyler Tolles’ arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” is sure to be a hit with patriotic fans. A perfect opening or closing piece for a concert — it is easy enough for an advanced high school ensemble but challenging enough to engage college students — this quartet is a perfect vehicle to develop strong chamber skills and nuanced playing through a familiar tune setting. Tolles skillfully arranged this tune for maximum effect with minimal gear. The piece can be performed with only a 4.3-octave marimba and a 5-octave marimba, with two players on each. The solo part, infamously performed on piccolo in the original piece, can either be performed by Player 1 on the top end of the marimba or on an optional xylophone for the added bite of the upper register.
This arrangement is moderately difficult from a technical standpoint. The primary challenges come from quick and constant octave playing, requiring the players to traverse both manuals with agility and accuracy. There are also extended passages with fast double stops, requiring careful control of both hands to avoid flams between the notes. This quartet would be an excellent way to hone a group’s chamber music skills, from playing without a conductor to listening across the ensemble for balance. Various players carry the melody at different times, so it’s crucial for the players to be aware of their role within the ensemble at any given moment.
Tolles’ arrangement is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and from a pedagogical and musical standpoint it holds value for intermediate players developing their skills. The added benefit of requiring a small setup makes this an easily accessible piece to program for high schools and colleges alike. I look forward to hearing live performances of this piece.
—Hannah Weaver
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 2, April 2024
John Philip Sousa’s magnum opus The Stars and Stripes Forever has now been expertly realized for mallet quartet by Tyler Tolles. Scored for four players on two marimbas (and optional xylophone), this arrangement conjures fresh charm from a classic piece of American musical history.
The work calls for Player 1 to play the “piccolo solo” on a xylophone for maximum effect or, optionally, on the top end of a low A marimba if a more minimal setup is preferred. Either way, Tolles’ adept arrangement makes the piece sound as if it were originally conceived on these instruments.
The Stars and Stripes Forever ships as a fully bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for either printing or tablet viewing.
Xylophone (optional, but preferred)
2 Marimbas — (1) 5-octave, (1) low A
Tyler Tolles’ arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” is sure to be a hit with patriotic fans. A perfect opening or closing piece for a concert — it is easy enough for an advanced high school ensemble but challenging enough to engage college students — this quartet is a perfect vehicle to develop strong chamber skills and nuanced playing through a familiar tune setting. Tolles skillfully arranged this tune for maximum effect with minimal gear. The piece can be performed with only a 4.3-octave marimba and a 5-octave marimba, with two players on each. The solo part, infamously performed on piccolo in the original piece, can either be performed by Player 1 on the top end of the marimba or on an optional xylophone for the added bite of the upper register.
This arrangement is moderately difficult from a technical standpoint. The primary challenges come from quick and constant octave playing, requiring the players to traverse both manuals with agility and accuracy. There are also extended passages with fast double stops, requiring careful control of both hands to avoid flams between the notes. This quartet would be an excellent way to hone a group’s chamber music skills, from playing without a conductor to listening across the ensemble for balance. Various players carry the melody at different times, so it’s crucial for the players to be aware of their role within the ensemble at any given moment.
Tolles’ arrangement is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and from a pedagogical and musical standpoint it holds value for intermediate players developing their skills. The added benefit of requiring a small setup makes this an easily accessible piece to program for high schools and colleges alike. I look forward to hearing live performances of this piece.
—Hannah Weaver
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 2, April 2024
