Percussion Ensemble - Digital Download SKU: A0.935382 Arranged by Dan Heslink. Christian,Christmas,Contemporary. Score and parts. 27 pages. Pharaoh Publications #5212785. Published by Pharaoh Publications (A0.935382). Holiday Bolero for percussion ensemble                                                       arr. by Dan Heslink This arrangement is available in two versions, a quintet for xylophone and four marimbas and a percussion ensemble octet for orchestra bells, vibes, 3 marimbas, snare drum, timpani and multiple percussion. These comments refer to the percussion ensemble arrangement. While the term Bolero can be applied to a variety of slow-tempo Latin dances, for most orchestral performers the title will evoke the stirring rhythms of Ravel’s famous Bolero. Similarities include the driving 3/4 bolero rhythm, the building of tension over one long-range crescendo, and the climactic conclusion. The pitch content is based on O Holy Night, the well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847. The difficulty level in terms of executing notes and rhythms is medium-easy. At the same time, the dynamic planning and control of the crescendo requires considerable musical judgment, particularly in the snare drum part. All of the keyboard parts require only two mallets per player, with the exception of the vibe part’s necessity of 3 or 4 mallets. There are no key changes, or mallet and hand independence. Pedaling on the vibes for the most part is suggested by the harmonic rhythm and is not notated. Setup of the general percussion part in the manner of a multiple percussion solo, where all playing surfaces are comfortably accessible. Holiday Bolero is sure to be an audience pleaser during a winter concert, especially close to Christmas. It would serve equally well in a percussion recital or a church service. In church this work would be appropriate as special music or as an offertory. Duration is 2:52. The arranger, Dan Heslink, can be contacted at dan@dheslink.com.

Percussion Ensemble - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.935380 Arranged by Pharaoh Publications. Christian,Christmas,Contemporary,Spiritual. Score and parts. 14 pages. Pharaoh Publications #5212781. Published by Pharaoh Publications (A0.935380). Holiday Bolero for keyboard percussion                          arr. by Dan Heslink This arrangement is available in two versions, a quintet for xylophone and four marimbas, and a percussion ensemble octet for orchestra bells, vibes, 3 marimbas, snare drum, timpani and multiple percussion. These comments refer to the mallet quintet arrangement. While the term Bolero can be applied to a variety of slow-tempo Latin dances, for most orchestral performers the title will evoke the stirring rhythms of Ravel’s famous Bolero. Similarities include the driving 3/4 bolero rhythm, the building of tension over one long-range crescendo, and the climactic conclusion. The pitch content is based on O Holy Night, the well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847. The difficulty level in terms of executing notes and rhythms is medium-easy. At the same time, the dynamic planning and control of the crescendo requires considerable musical judgment. All of the keyboard parts require only two mallets; some passages unfold as double stops. Mallets for the marimbas should be chosen to maximize the blend of individual parts into a unified chord. There are no key changes, or mallet and hand independence.  Holiday Bolero is sure to be an audience pleaser during a winter concert, especially close to Christmas. It would serve equally well in a percussion recital or a church service. In church this work would be appropriate as special music or as an offertory. Duration is 2:52. The arranger, Dan Heslink, can be contacted at dan@dheslink.com.

Percussion Ensemble - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1024745 Composed by Mykola Leontovych. Arranged by Matthew Kimbley. Christmas,Concert. Score and parts. 56 pages. Matthew Kimbley #4855159. Published by Matthew Kimbley (A0.1024745). Carol of the Bells. When most people hear that, they think of handbells. But why not use a glockenspiel (also known as orchestral bells)? Matthew Kimbley, when arranging this popular Christmas carol, chose to do that very thing. Add a marimba, vibraphone, chimes, wind chimes, temple blocks, two triangles, sleigh bells, claves, and bass drum, and you have an exciting arrangement of Carol of the Bells for ten-player percussion ensemble.This piece is about three and a half minutes long, and is perfect for school functions and Christmas events. This piece can technically be played by as few as five percussionists, although it is intended for ten. It is an exciting start or finish to any concert, and is great for students and professionals alike. It is written so that it can be played at nearly any speed, so it can be adjusted based on how advanced the ensemble is.This piece is fun for the audience as well as the performers!Note: the audio recording includes the optional ending.This includes both the conductor and performer scores.

Percussion Ensemble - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.937755 Composed by Dan Heslink. Contemporary,World. Score and parts. 128 pages. Pharaoh Publications #5983475. Published by Pharaoh Publications (A0.937755). Alexandriana for percussion ensemble (12 performers)            by Dan Heslink   The term Alexandriana is popularly used to reference the Great Library of antiquity in Alexandria, Egypt. Rooted in Alexander the Great’s global military and exploratory exploits (334 - 323 BCE), the library symbolizes the ancient Greek ever expanding worldview, especially under the influence of Alexander and his tutor, Aristotle. Alexander died long before construction of the Ancient Museum and Library of Alexandria, but the concept of a universal library was uniquely his.  The mixing of Hellenistic columns with Egyptian architecture and the housing of thousands of scrolls in Greek, Turkish, Babylonian, Egyptian and Hebrew, intensify the division of the library broadly into two large sections, one for eastern knowledge and one for western knowledge. In this musical score, typically western is the thematic concept (expressed most clearly in the chimes), the tonal, triadic-based harmony and sectional concept of form.  The music’s sectional nature parallels the library’s different rooms, each containing their own genre of knowledge (history, mathematics, poetry, etc.) Evocative of eastern musical practices are the simultaneous layers of different rhythmic subdivisions, oriental modes, and florid lines in the xylophone and vibe parts. In this score, eastern musical procedures are expressed with instruments commonly found in the Western orchestra or wind band.  The performers are encouraged to always emphasize the score’s contrasts. Passages for indefinitely pitched percussion featuring the song within the drums contrast with other passages of purely quantitative rhythm. Complexity in the interaction of parts contrast with simple rhythmic unison. Passages of thick harmony contrast with modal monophonic melodies accompanied only by indefinitely pitched sounds. Overall, there is a wide dynamic range.  During long passages of gradually accruing energy, take care to not build dynamics too quickly, and during fortissimo passages, drums should be stroked in a manner that avoids excessive aggression. The rhythmic background of 16th notes must be consistent among all players so that interlocking rhythmic motifs are consistent. Often the tom-toms have melodic passages that imitate the shape of mallet or timpani melodies. Tune the drums for a warm, round sound and select mallets accordingly. Bar percussion players should apply a flowing legato to their passage work. Soft sections are intended to sound mysterious: be sure to use mallets that match that character.  The composer assigns a performance level of difficult to this work. Performance time is 9:15. The composer, Dan Heslink, can be reached at dan@dheslink.com.