Arabian Processional

Evoking images of belly dancers wielding swirling balls of fire on strings, Arabian Processional weaves together a tapestry of celebration, danger & dance. Using repeated syncopated ostinatos and doublings in all the right places, Kiefer introduces students to Eastern scales, harmonies and rhythms.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 10
Level: Medium | Duration: 3:30

Instrumentation
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Marimba 1 (4-octave)
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave)
Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1 (1 player: suspended cymbal, tam-tam, finger cymbals)
Percussion 2 (2 players: tambourine, brake drum)
Percussion 3 (2players: snare drum, optional bass drum)

Program Notes
Arabian Processional depicts events at a festive occasion, where dancers would combine belly-dancing with fire. Performers use balls of fire on strings, swirling them around their bodies as they dance. Using torches and flammable liquids, they give the illusion of spitting fireballs and create a combination of danger and dance that is used at celebrations and parties all over the world.

This piece was written to have fun! The beginning should be boisterous, except for the interlude at m. 17 which is softer, and should build to m. 40. From there, it recedes to m. 56. The piece gradually rebuilds from the solo until the end, with the dance tempo never slowing down. Although the eastern scale necessitates a skip of an augmented second at times, it is repetitive enough the students will learn it quickly.

I hope you, your students, and your audience enjoy this composition. Have fun!

- Ed Kiefer