The Chorus of Bells, from Leoncavallo’s Il Pagliacci, is an arrangement of the vocal chorus of townspeople on their way to vespers before a night at the traveling show. Little do they know what’s in store for them. The chorus starts very strong, then fades away and ends quietly as the villagers move off to the church. Although mostly a mallet ensemble, the timpani and added orchestral percussion really add to the piece. Both marimba parts can be performed on a single instrument.