Brian Monroe Music

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Scored for 9 piece percussion ensemble, Deck the Halls is a great intermediate piece for the holiday percussion ensemble.  Scored for Bells, Xylophone, 2 Marimbas (played on 1 instrument) Chimes, Snare Drum (w/Triangle), Bass Drum, Tambourine Sleighbells, and Timpani (w/temple blocks). This is a great piece for your junior high-level percussionists.  Grade 2

Deck the Halls with Percussion

Percussion Ensemble

Format

was conceived as a tool to help beginning band members learn and review. The warm-ups are divided into categories and designed to bounce around instead of being played one after another.

Some warm-ups also employ repeated passages. These have been designed for two purposes.  First, the teacher can model the performance for the students, and they, in turn, can echo it back; following that, individual students can be selected to play solo and have the entire band echo.  This gives the teacher the opportunity to evaluate a student's performance, even in the full band.

56 Beginning Band Warm-Ups

Concert Band Score & Parts

Dashing through the Snow is a percussion ensemble based on the well-known tune Jingle Bells. Scored for 10 intermediate percussionists with an advanced player on Xylophone, this piece will be a fun addition to your holiday concert. The work opens with the sounds of a snowstorm. You may use a recording for this or use the players or brass players from your band to blow air through their instruments to make the sounds of winter.  Dashing through the snow is a fun way to include other instrumentalists in your percussion ensemble.

Dashing Through the SNow

Instrument Type

The Arctic Zephyr is a two-mallet work for unaccompanied marimba in the key of C minor.  The solo requires a four-octave marimba.  This makes a great addition to the intermediate marimba literature.

The Arctic Zephyr

Marimba Solo

Fanfares have been part of our music history since the Middle Ages. Used for special occasions, trumpets sound the arrival of a monarch or other important people. They are still used today to honor the President of the United States or the beginning of the Olympics. This clarinet trio has been written with the beginning clarinet student in mind.   This composition also be combined with Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare, Celebratory Fanfare for Clarinets,  Celebratory Fanfare for Saxophones, Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare, Triumphant Trombone Trio Fanfare, or Procession of the Powerful Percussionists Fanfare for larger ensembles.

Celebratory Clarinet Trio Fanfare

Clarinet Trio

This method book has been written as a suppliment for a begginng percussion book or band series.  Containing both Drums and Bells, it approaches percussion through a natural bounce philosophy. Starting with playing on the drum or drum pad.  After a few lessons the same technique is applied to bells as well.  The book introduces playing mallets by reading  "big notes"  like the early piano books.  This allows  for students to learn to read music more effectively and not watching their hands.  Once both areas are introduced they are alternated or combined together in a lesson.  Lessons are augmented with online practices and youtube lesson reviews.  Later in the book, lessons for Auxiliary Percussion, Timpani and even beginning Drum Set are presented.  It has proven to be a great method for beginning students and will cover almost two years of instruction.  Brian Monroe is a sucessful music educator who taught band and percussion for over 35 years in both large suburban and small rural schools.  His percussion teachers include Thomas Fries and Michael Burritt.  He is a member of NaFME, ASBDA, and the Percussive Arts Society.  He has works published through Ludwig, Southern Music, Permus, and C Alan.  Please check his webpage https://brianmonroemusic.com for more information about the book, including other materials and his compositions and arrangements.

Complete Percussion Companion

Percussion Book

Celebrations is a mixed percussion ensemble octet utilizing keyboard and non-keyboard percussion instruments. It was written in memory of Ohio Band Director Dan Meeks. In life, we celebrate many occasions: birthdays, holidays, vacations, winning seasons, winning the lottery, anniversaries, marriages, and births, to name a few. But at times of loss, we can also celebrate those who have left an indelible mark on us. Parents, mentors, and teachers fit into this category. This piece celebrates learning and thought that guided us on our path. Specifically, this piece is dedicated to Dan Meeks, a teacher, band director, percussionist, husband, and dad who touched so many lives by teaching and guiding his family, friends, and students through part of their lives. We are forever in debt to people like Dan and celebrate them. Dan would often say, Have Fun! This piece is written with that joy and love of life in mind. Thanks, Dan. You always make it fun. Parts: Part 1: Bells (w/hard plastic mallets) Scored for 9 Percussionists parts include: 2: Xylophone &amp; Crotales (or Bells) (w/medium plastic mallets) Part 3: Vibraphone (w/medium cord mallets) Part 4: Marimba 1: (w/medium yard mallets) Part 5: Marimba 2: if possible 4.5 or 5-octave play lower notes. (w/medium yard mallets) Part 6: Percussion 1: Snare Drum &amp; Sleighbells Part 7: Bass Drum, Gong, Suspended Cymbal &amp; Triangle Part 8: Timpani

Celebrations

Written with the second-year percussionist in mind, Up on the Housetop presents the students with both melodic and harmonic writing but also a little counterpoint to provide more independence.  Scored for 8 percussionists, it includes 2 Bell Players, 2 Xylophone Players (performing on 1 instrument),  1 Marimba Player, 2 Percussion 1 player (Temple Blocks and Triangle), and 1 Percussion 2 player playing Sleighbells.  The inclusion of a short vocal part ("Ho Ho Ho") at the end, performed by the entire ensemble or a soloist, makes for a fun end to the piece.  It's sure to be a hit on holiday/winter concerts.

Up on the Housetop

Percussion Octet

"The Rainmaker" is an aleatoric work for all types of musical ensemble. The performance effect is increased with more students performing. The piece utilizes performers playing "body percussion:" 1 Making circles with two fingers on the opposite palm, 2 Tapping fingers into the palm, 3 Snapping fingers, 4 Patting legs, and 5 Stomping feet. All effects mimic the sounds of a rainstorm building. The performance begins with a few drops of rain, gradually increasing to a downpour and storm before returning to its quiet beginnings. In G Students will continue with instructions from 6 or go back to 5 and follow those instructions but starting faster and growing. This section also features some special effects. The storm builds to the maximum power and wanes. The piece ends as it began fading away to silence and the sun coming back out!

The Rainmaker

Score & Parts

Scored for Young Trombone Trio, The Harmonic Quest is a fun and engaging work for this age level.  Utilizing glissandos and ranges low B natural to middle C.  Here's the story:

In the bustling city of Minor Harmonia, three young trombonists lead double lives as secret agents tasked with locating mysterious and powerful things found in music.  Their current mission is to find the elusive "E" Natural, code-named TSP2, a mythical tone that is rumored when played in a chord, creates a majestic effect that may unite Minor Harmonia in a major way.  

By day, Ray, Sam, and Ken are just minor performers who seek to mesmerize audiences with their trombone trio performances.  But they need something new to set them apart.  By night, they navigate scores of shadowy alleys and decrepit music stores to trace TSP2's elusive path.  Their clues are hidden in sheet music and encoded in musical notes.  

Their journey leads them to an ancient, abandoned band room. It is here, amidst the tattered, smelly, old band uniforms, valve oil-stained floors, and dust-laden shelves stacked with yellowing music, that the trio will uncover the secrets of the TSP2, for this room is a time capsule, a relic of a bygone era, filled with the echoes of forgotten melodies.  Can they discover the TSP2 and capture it?  They must do so because this could be the key to changing Minor Harmonia.  But this journey is dangerous. As always, if they are caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of their actions...................................

This mp3 will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Trio!

The Harmonic Quest

Trombone Trio

Fanfares have been part of our music history since the Middle Ages. Used for special occasions, trumpets sound the arrival of a monarch or other important people. They are still used today to honor the President of the United States or the beginning of the Olympics. This trombone trio has been written with the beginning trombone student in mind. Ranges extend from A at the bottom of the staff to F in the staff, making it a perfect piece to teach
ensemble playing and self-confidence.  This composition also be combined with Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare, Celebratory Fanfare for Clarinets,  Celebratory Fanfare for Saxophones, Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare, Triumphant Trombone Trio Fanfare, or Procession of the Powerful Percussionists Fanfare for larger ensembles.

Triumphant Trombones Trio Fanfare

Avalanche! is a theater-style piece that draws upon sight and hearing.  Percussion plays a prominent role in Avalanche and will require 8  players to cover all the parts. Percussion is used to create surround-sound effects, with two percussionists performing from the back of the auditorium for the entire piece.  At the beginning of the work, four percussionists travel from the back of the auditorium to the stage playing one crotale: Eb, F, Bb, or G. before playing their own setups.  At the end of the piece, they travel from the stage to the back of the auditorium, playing the same crotales.  In addition, lighting effects, including blackouts, flashing colored lights,  and a mirror ball, are used to create scenes for the audience.  Avalanche uses the hymn "In the Bleak Midwinter" to tell a story of community, dedication, danger, suffering, and triumph in conquering the elements of the mountains.  The seven continuous movements will take the listener on a thrilling journey through the dangerous mountains.  The movements are: I.  A Setting and a Snow Storm,  II. Climbers Song,  III. Where the Peeks Scrape the Sky,  IV. Dispersion!   V.  Avalanche,  VI Aftermath, Reflections and Survival, VII Epilogue.  This mature work, but still assessable for good high school bands,  is sure to get a powerful reaction from your audience.  A description of percussion needs and a setup chart are provided for percussionists.  A lighting score is also included.

Avalanche!

Fanfares have been part of our music history since the Middle Ages.  Used for special occasions, trumpets sound the arrival of a monarch or other important people.  They are still used today to honor the President of the United States or the beginning of the Olympics.  This Mallet trio has been written with the beginning percussion student in mind.  An optional Snare Drum &amp; Bass Drum part has been included if you wish to have a quintet. This composition also be combined with Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare, Celebratory Fanfare for Clarinets,  Celebratory Fanfare for Saxophones, Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare, Triumphant Trombone Trio Fanfare, or Procession of the Powerful Percussionists for larger ensembles or full band.

Procession of the Powerful Percussionists

Percussion Trio

Scherzo is a playful trio written for two snare drums and two low tom-toms.  The interplay between the three parts is key to making the work work! Your role as performers is crucial in carefully observing dynamics, accents, and effects (stick clicks, rim hits, etc). Also, your careful balance of the parts is essential so that when a part has a solo, it can be heard easily.  At other times, you must sequentially link your lines; your care must be taken to balance these lines so they are all played with the same tone and dynamics.  Above all, have fun and Subdivide!!!!!!

Scherzo

March of the Enchanted Toys has been scored 9 first or second-year percussionists.  Parts include: Bells 1, Bells 2, Bells 3, Bells 4, Xylophone, Sleighbells, Temple Blocks, Triangle, Ratchet &amp; Vibraslap.  Grade 1.5

March of the Enchanted Toys

Fanfares have been part of our music history since the Middle Ages. Used for special occasions, trumpets sound the arrival of a monarch or other important people. They are still used today to honor the President of the United States or the beginning of the Olympics. This trumpet trio has been written with the beginning trumpet student in mind. Ranges extend from B below the staff to G in the staff, making it a perfect piece to teach ensemble playing and self-confidence. This composition also be combined with Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare, Celebratory Fanfare for Clarinets,  Celebratory Fanfare for Saxophones, Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare, Triumphant Trombone Trio Fanfare, or Procession of the Powerful Percussionists Fanfare for larger ensembles.

Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare

Trumpet Trio

Bingo has been a childhood favorite for over 300 years!  This version, scored for the beginning level Brass trio: trumpet, trombone/baritone  &amp; tuba , also features foot stomps and even speaking B-I-N-G-O at the end to make the piece a great piece for your first or second year players..

Trio de Bingo

Brass Trio

Growing up in the Midwest, the Winter months could be temperate or snowy.  But nothing was more magical than getting up to see the newly fallen snow and checking the TV and Radio stations for those beautiful words "snow day."  Some children returned to bed; others planned their exciting day without school. Playing outside, making snowmen and snow forts, having snowball fights, and sledding was a great way to spend the day off.  Snow Day Rhapsody draws upon the memories of the cold winds, the sounds of snowflakes in the air, and the fun kids had on their day off. Snow Day Rhapsody can feature your principal or superintendent narrating two short passages, as shown below.  
   
How the piece is structured:

mm 1-11	The first section, Hushed Waiting, depicts getting up early in the morning.  It's dark and quiet, and everything outside is blanketed with snow.  Occasionally we hear the sound of the blowing wind.  Sitting in bed, we wait for the most important news of the day.  NO SCHOOL, a snow day!    

m 7   Narrator:  "Good morning. This is (the administrator will say their name here) the superintendent (or another admin title) of (enter your school's name here). Due to inclement weather and road conditions, we will not be having school today. Enjoy your  snow day!"

mm 12-23	Our mind starts racing and thinking about our adventures today!

mm, 24-31	With the sound of a car sliding down the road (trombone glissando), the kids head outside, building snow forts, making snow angels, and, of course, making snowballs.  If you listen carefully, you might also catch the trumpets launching snowballs at the rest of the band as they play a "na na na na"  phrase. 27.   A little later, the  French Horns, Tenor Saxophones, Trombones, and Baritones go sledding down the steep hill in town (mm. 28-29).

mm 32-35	The woodwinds make snow angles in the fresh light powder.

mm 36-39	The Brass interrupts the woodwind's angelic moment, launching a volley of snowballs.  The woodwind retaliate (mm. 38-29)

mm, 40-47	In this section, the kids are back doing their things.  The chaotic nature of this section depicts them having fun in the snow.

mm 48-55	This section serves as the start of the piece's conclusion, bringing back the original melody. This time, you might hear the flutes joining the low reeds and brass in sledding.	

mm, 56-59	In this section, a cluster chord is formed as one note sustains as the others move downwards; the student has the option of holding on to a given note or moving. This section represents the weather getting worse as the snow picks up, resulting in........

mm 60-61	narrator:   Well, It's getting Worse, No School Tomorrow!!!

SNOW DAY RHAPSODY

Fanfares have been part of our music history since the Middle Ages. Used for special occasions, trumpets sound the arrival of a monarch or other important people. They are still used today to honor the President of the United States or the beginning of the Olympics. This flute trio has been written with the beginning flute student in mind.   This composition also be combined with Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare, Celebratory Fanfare for Clarinets,  Celebratory Fanfare for Saxophones, Triumphant Trumpets Trio Fanfare, Triumphant Trombone Trio Fanfare, or Procession of the Powerful Percussionists Fanfare for larger ensembles.

Fantastic Floutist First Fanfare

Flute Trio

Watermelon Whispers was composed in 1918 by the famous Xylophonist George Hamilton Green. Using the original work scored for piano and recorded on an Edison cylinder, this mallet quartet features Solo Xylophone, Bells, and 2 Marimbas.

Watermelon Whispers

Percussion Quartet

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