- Something New and Different -
Percussion Ensemble Music
by Andrew R. Stout

I began writing music for percussion ensemble because I found it difficult to find the types of pieces that I wanted our ensemble to play -- pieces scored for lots of players with a strong emphasis on melodic content and audience appeal.

I don't write music to make money...I am in it for the expression and the "art" of it, if you will. Because of that, my main goal in writing these pieces is to have them PLAYED. To this end, I would be greatly appreciative if you could let me know if you plan to try any of these pieces out, and if you have, I would be most grateful to hear your comments about them. Or, if you have played one of them, please tell me what you thought of it!

Listen To These MP3 Audio Samples!

 "The Tracks"
By Andrew R. Stout
an excerpt from a performace by the
Ohio University
Percussion Ensemble
February, 2004

 "Waves"
By Andrew R. Stout
an excerpt from a performace by the world famous
Ju Percussion Group's
"Jumping Percussion Ensemble"
Taiwan, 2003

and please listen to these midi samples too:

Natural Forces | The Chameleon | The Gift

(NOTE: midi samples are computer-generated and, of course,
only represent an approximation of the sound of the piece.
They are also a product of the tones generated by your own computer,
so your results may vary :-)

 

Quotes About Andrew Stout's Work

 "Andrew Stout's music fills a gap in percussion ensemble literature! I would be happy to recommend his music to anyone"

Frank Oddis
Assoc. Prof. of Music, Percussion
Morehead State University

"The catchy melodies and varied styles (are) great for audience appeal, while the counterpoint and creative layering of instruments provides interest and performance challenges for the entire ensemble."

Roger Braun
Assistant Professor of Percussion
Ohio University

Please direct your email comments to andrew@cbsohiou.com
I'd love to hear from you!

The Pieces

All of these pieces are written for large keyboard-heavy ensembles in what I guess might be called a pop/jazz/fusion type of style. They are written with audience-appeal in mind (not too 'head-y') but with enough substance to them to keep it interesting for the players as well. There is an emphasis on melodic content throughout, and all call for a host of auxiliary percussion instruments. I would assess the difficulty level as 'moderate'.

"The Tracks"

Duration: approx. 7-1/2 min.
Players: 15
Parts: 7 keyboards (2 vibes, 4 marimba, bells/xylophone) supported by bass, timpani, drum set, and 5 percussion parts that call for just about every instrument you have, but probably none that you don't.
Description: "The Tracks" is a large-scale piece that runs the gamut from a lush ballad with gorgeous harmonies and depth, to light-hearted swing, to staight ahead pop/jazz fusion. It's a dramatic, listener-friendly piece written to be enjoyed by both players and audience. "The Tracks" was commissioned and premiered by the Morehead State University Percussion Program, directed by Frank Oddis. It was written around the concept of being alone with one's thoughts. Themes are inspired by such universal life-experiences as the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, anxiety, depression, success, and happiness. That's a lot of ground to cover, but "The Tracks" manages to do so in a cohesive, unique, and satisfying way. It's definately a high-impact piece that should add a little "wow" to any program.
Sample score page: see publisher's PDF score available online CLICK HERE
MP3 sample: CLICK HERE
Available: Dutch Music Partners (CLICK HERE) One of the largest publishers of percussion literature in Europe.

Questions? Send me an Email.

"Natural Forces"

Duration: approx. 6 min.
Players: 14
Parts: 8 keyboards (2 vibes, 4 marimba, bells, xylo)
1 chimes/aux, 3 aux. perc.(drums, toys, etc.)
1 timpani, 1 drum-set
(note, one marimba part could be played on synth/bass)
Description: Inspired by the paintings of 19th century artist Caspar David Friedrich, it is a dramatic, emotionally-charged piece with highly contrasting moods. It starts dramatically slow and explodes into a deliberate first statement. This gives way to a tension building double-time segment that leads to a smooth and mysterious 7/4 section with lots of color, which builds to a thunderous return of the opening theme. Next is a bright, driving section of straight-ahead 16th-note based jazz/fusion that features a vibes solo/duet and a marimba solo. The piece then winds down with a reprise of the opening statement and a gradual diminuendo until the only thing left is a solo note on chimes. This piece runs the gamut of tempo, volume, and intensity ranges.
Sample score page: CLICK HERE
Midi audio sample: CLICK HERE
Available: HoneyRock Publishing (for info, CLICK HERE)

Questions? Send me an Email.

"The Chameleon"

Duration: approx. 6 min.
Players: 12 or 13
Parts: 6 keyboards (1 vibes, 4 marimba, 1 xylo/bells)
4 or 5 aux. percussion
1 timpani, 1 drum set
Description: As the name implies, it is a piece about colors, or more specifically, changing colors. After a short dramatic opening, the piece kicks into the main theme--a straight forward pop/jazz/fusion section featuring vibraphone with a tricky 3-mallet-in-one-hand set-up. This gives way to a nice mixed-meter marimba feature with bells and vibes responding in sort of a question-and-answer fashion which makes up the second major statement. Next is a nice SLOW & easy "blue" section featuring a tasty vibes solo. Then elements of the first two major themes are introduced into the blue motif (a combination of the colors..."earth tones") which results in an outright (up-tempo) reprisal of the opening themes, a short drum-set solo, and a bright mixed-meter conclusion ending in a rock-type improv. finish. This is a really fun piece.
Sample score page: CLICK HERE
Midi audio sample: CLICK HERE
Available: HoneyRock Publishing (for info, CLICK HERE)

Questions? Send me an Email.

"Waves"

Duration: approx 6:15
Players: 11
Parts: 6 keyboards (1 vibes, 3 marimba, 1 bells, 1 xylophone)
1 synth or bass, 2 aux. perc.
1 timpani, 1 drum set
Description: A little more simple and straight-forward than the others, but no-less interesting, "Waves" starts out as a harmonious ballad in C minor. This then develops into a bluesy 5/4 swing in F, featuring solos for Vibraphone and Xylophone. (Add an improvised Drum Set solo too, if you like) The ballad and swing themes are then COMBINED for an intriguing statement, until finally the ballad them takes over and ends the piece softly. This piece is a little different, and is a nicely melodic offering.
Sample score page: CLICK HERE
MP3 audio sample: CLICK HERE
Available: HoneyRock Publishing (for info, CLICK HERE)

Questions? Send me an Email.

"The Gift"

Duration: approx. 6 min.
Players: 15
Parts: 1 Synth or Flute Feature Solo
7 keyboards (1 vibes, 4 marimba, 1 bells, 1 xylo/marimba)
1 bass, 1 chimes, 2 aux. perc.
1 timpani, 1 drum set
1 snare drum, 1 bass drum
Description: The Gift .is a straight-ahead piece which was written around the idea of using a flute lead in a percussion ensemble. (but a synthesizer works well too.) In addition, the usual drum-set is replaced by a more traditional snare-and-bass-drum instrumentation for a refreshing change of pace. There's a very nice feature section with a demanding marimba solo, and a tasty flute/synth-and-vibes duet. This one pulls out all the stops, is very audience friendly, and the unique voicing makes it a lot of fun.
Sample score page: CLICK HERE
Midi audio sample: CLICK HERE
Available: from Dutch Music Partners. (CLICK HERE)

 

"A Note to You"

Duration: approx. 4:15
Players: 9 percussion plus 12 or more jazz ensemble
Parts: 1 vibes, 3 marimbas, 1 xylo/bells
1 timpani, 2 aux. perc., 1 drum set
trumpet I, II, III, IV
alto sax I, II
tenor sax, baritone sax
trombone I, II, III
bass
Description: My interest in the melodic content of percussion ensemble music lead me to this logical extrapolation...combining percussion and jazz ensembles. This piece is unabashed, shameless swing, with a 'whistle-it-down-the-street' type melody and ear-pleasing, tightly voiced harmonies. The horn players will never know it was written by a percussionist, as they'll be too busy wailing through the 'shout chorus', and the impact of having both groups on stage will 'wow' the audience!
Sample score page: CLICK HERE
Available: From the author. Email me!


.

Please send questions or comments via email to andrew@cbsohiou.com

Thank-you for visiting!

.

.

.

.