Jig

"Jig," the first movement of Holst's beloved "St. Paul's Suite", is a celebration of the British folk music that profoundly influenced his work. A lively and lilting but forceful theme is introduced, alternating between 6/8 and 9/8 time, shortly followed by a second and more expansive theme which interweaves with the first. The music builds in complexity and tempo before coming to a fiery finish. This arrangement captures all the fire and spirit of the original setting for strings, while showcasing the versatility and range of mallet percussion instruments. The roughly 3- minute romp is a fun but accessible challenge for intermediate percussionists, with all parts utilizing two mallets.