Mallet Percussion Solos

This collection features pieces with a wide range of musical material designed to challenge intermediate students while simultaneously captivating their interest. Skill levels range from medium-easy to

Written and dedicated to his nephew, Andy by Michael Charles Smith is a medium-level marimba solo that is bubbly, full of energy, but also intense and complicated at times - just like its

Be Thou My Vision, a traditional Christian hymn from Ireland, is now a staple song in modern sacred music. In Brian Mueller's warm and lyrical arrangement for a 4.3-octave (low A) marimba, the

Premiered in Paris in 2002, Blue Identity it received its U.S. premiere at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Originally scored for a marimba soloist with four percussionists,

This piece gets its title from the "sly" movement of the left hand which supports the melody in the right. A rhythmic motive is presented at the beginning and is utilized throughout, along with a recurring

Written to depict the Camino de Santiago, a 600 mile pilgrimage on foot through western Europe, The Camino by Michael Charles Smith is an intermediate marimba solo that captures the wistful nature

Rhapsodic in its form, Chorea Luna is an intermediate four-mallet marimba solo by Max Marsillo. The piece weaves in and out of various themes, each with their own unique emotional qualities and

As the title suggests, Chad Heiny’s Coming of Age attempts to narrate a coming-of-age story where the solo marimba part depicts the main character responding and evolving to an

Originally composed for solo marimba and wind ensemble, this version of Clifton Taylor's Concertpiece has been reduced for solo marimba and accompanying piano. In this version, the original wind

In this arrangement of Clifton Taylor’s Concertpiece, Jason Baker disseminates the original wind parts to a quintet comprising four mallet players and a drum set player. This allows for

A beautiful arrangement of an infamous traditional Irish melody.

Escape is an upbeat and fun medium-easy solo for young marimbist. The deceptively challenging techniques required for performance will test the player, and develop their ear as well as their sense

The Fairview Hymns is an arrangement of two traditional English hymnal melodies for solo marimba. The two melodies differ in their character but cohere into one brilliant musical experience. The

Falling Up the Stairs by Christopher Butler is a multifaceted, highly engaging marimba solo. After a lyrical, rolled opening phrase, the piece launches into an energetic main section characterized

First Impressions is a musical illustration of the lasting effects of a first impression by introducing an initial thematic motive, then having it recur throughout the work. In this piece, Andrew

Michael Charles Smith composed The First Steps in a New Direction during his early years of study at the University of Oregon. As a young performer with a newfound passion for the marimba, the

A compelling, groove-oriented piece featuring a solo marimbist accompanied by a percussion quartet. The piece moves through several different feels, time signatures, chord progressions, and key centers.