The Test of Time (Solo Marimba + Band Gr. 3)

The Test of Time juxtaposes a featured 4-mallet marimba soloist playing polyrhythms, over-the-barline grooves, and asymmetrical passages with accessible ensemble passages presented in simple meters to create an engaging concertino-type performance for concerts and concerto competitions.

Genre: Solo Marimba with Band | # of Players: Standard + 1
Series: Emerald Band Series
Level: 3 | Duration: 5:55

Instrumentation
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe [optional]
Bassoons [optional]
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone 1
E-flat Alto Saxophone 2
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone

Solo Marimba [4.3- or 4.5-octave]

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani [4 drums]
Percussion 1: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel
Percussion 2: Crash Cymbals, Triangle
Percussion 3: Concert Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, 2 Temple Blocks

Program Notes
The Test of Time puts the soloist at the forefront of playing polyrhythms, over-the-barline grooves, and asymmetrical passages while the band plays supportive and common thematic material from my oeuvre in simple meters such as 4/4 and 3/4. The juxtaposition of musical material presents the namesake “test of time,” where the combination of soloist and ensemble manipulate the feeling of “beat 1” for each other, the conductor, and the audience. This relentless piece, performed without pause, is a great vehicle to feature one of your percussionists (or a guest soloist) in your end-of-year concert or in a concerto competition, while providing accessible yet interesting parts for the accompanying ensemble.
– M.C.