Tropical Holidaze (Perc Ens 13 + Optional Bass)

Although the temperatures outside may be getting cooler, let’s help bring the warmth of the Caribbean to your winter concert. Featuring tunes like Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, this tropical arrangement for large pops percussion ensemble should have the audience wishing they were on a beach.

Genre: Pops Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 14+
Series: Holiday Series
Level: Intermediate | Duration: 2:40

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Xylophone
Marimba 1 (4-octave)*
Marimba 2 (4-octave)
Marimba 3 (4.3-octave)*
Bass Guitar (optional)
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Multi-Bass Drum
Percussion 2: Hi-Hat, 3 Concert Toms, Crash Cymbal
Percussion 3: Claves, Triangle, Large Cowbell
Bongos
Congas
Sleigh Bells

*Marimba 1 and 3 may share one 4.3-octave instrument.

Program Notes
Tropical Holidaze invites listeners to escape to a sunny shoreline for the holidays, where rhythmic waves, warm breezes, and carefree energy set the scene. Built on driving percussion grooves and bright melodic figures, the piece blends elements of island-inspired dance rhythms with contemporary percussion ensemble writing. Its steady pulse, syncopated patterns, and layered textures create a vibrant sense of motion—like a festive celebration unfolding along a tropical beach.

Throughout the piece, energetic ostinatos anchor the ensemble through three popular Christmas tunes—Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas—while colorful timbres evoke steel drums, hand percussion, and the relaxed optimism of vacation life. As the music develops, buoyant melodies pass between voices, gradually expanding into fuller, more dynamic sections that highlight the ensemble’s rhythmic unity and expressive contrast.

Cheerful, light-hearted, and rhythmically engaging, "Tropical Holidaze" gives performers an opportunity to explore groove-based playing, listening across interlocking patterns, and creating an atmosphere of fun and brightness. Whether performed in a formal concert or a casual outdoor setting, the piece brings a refreshing burst of warmth and encourages audiences to join in the celebration.