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A Cantiga is a large percussion ensemble piece that melds the modern mallet percussion ensemble with traditional Brazilian-style bateria. If Brazilian drums aren’t available, the instrumentation of this short, intermediate-level piece can be flexible.
Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 13-14
Series: N/A
Level: Intermediate | Duration: 2:45
Instrumentation
Player 1: Xylophone, Medium Low Tom (or Surdo)
Player 2: Bells, Hi-Hat (or Shaker)
Player 3: Vibraphone, Medium Low Tom (or Surdo)
Player 4: Vibraphone, Low Tom (or Surdo)
Player 5: Vibraphone, Low Tom (or Surdo)
Player 6: 4.5-octave Marimba (or 4.3-octave*), High Bongo
Player 7: 4.5-octave Marimba (or 4.3-octave*), High Tom
Player 8: 4.5-octave Marimba (or 4.3-octave*), High Conga, Suspended Cymbal
Player 9: 5-octave Marimba (or 4.3-octave*), Medium Tom
Player 10: Shaker
Player 11: 2 Low Toms (can share with Vibraphones), Suspended Cymbal, Sizzle Ride, Medium Crash Cymbal, Caixa (or Snare Drum)
Player 12: Repinique (may substitute Timbale, Low Bongo, or Snare w/ snares off)
Player 13: Medium Low Surdo (may substitute Bass Drum, slightly dampened)#
Player 14: Low Surdo (may substitute Bass Drum, slightly dampened)#
* To play on a 4.3-octave instrument, simply omit out-of-range notes.
# An optional part is included that combines Player 13 & 14, playable by one person.
Program Notes
A Cantiga was commissioned by the Spring High School Percussion Ensemble for their 2023 Midwest Clinic performance. This piece is a fusion of two very different styles - modern mallet percussion ensemble, and traditional Brazilian-style bateria. The name A Cantiga simply means “song” in Portuguese, the native language of Brazil. The piece was written to have the style and feel of a song, with memorable melodies that appear throughout.