Percussion Ensemble Trios

Ludwig van Beethoven is regarded by many as the greatest composer in the history of music. He was prone to sudden mood swings often reflected in his music. This excerpt from his Piano Sonata 13, Op.27 No. 1

Imagine what the skeletons hear while dancing through graves on a crisp All Hallows' Eve, and this may be it! In Cemetery Salsa, three intermediate players are featured on a single 4.3 octave

A drummy, exciting, and energetic multi-percussion trio that utilizes a centralized bass drum surrounded by three identical setups of two bongos and a concert tom for each player. This piece starts out with

Dark Passenger is an intense, visceral ride through many different musical territories. The setup consists of three sets of bongos placed back to back while the three performers frame the setup on

In true jazz form, this advanced chamber ensemble piece for marimba and a supporting piano trio features improvisation in all parts. The piece is filled with energy, excitement, and fun, with a hint of

Hyperbole is built on the stylistic elements of jazz and progressive rock. It consists of four main sections in the beginning, a following optional solo section, and finishes with a recap and

This piece takes its name from the obsessive and insistent nature of the music. The hocket-like interplay between all three parts, sudden changes in dynamics, displacement of the regular beat, and the

Little Lullabies is a collection of six arrangements based on themes from famous classical composers. Works by Mozart, Schumann, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach are featured with instrumentation that

A Little Malletmusik is another one of Brian Slawson’s brilliant pieces for beginning mallet percussionists. Despite its simple, catchy, and light character, it has a many pedagogical

In this percussion trio, the notion of "omnes trio" or "trio for all" is achieved through its homogeneous composition. The instruments include a shared concert bass drum, three sets of bongos, and six opera

Pop Drop is another work by Brian Slawson aimed at developing the ensemble skills of young performers. Duple rhythms are passed around and played in unison, requiring the ensemble to listen

Written for three marimbas, Satisfraction is a charming and sweet trio that will lighten the mood at any percussion concert needing a breath of fresh air. Erin Duke writes individual lines that are

Brian Slawson expertly captures the spirit of the third movement of Beethoven's famous piano sonata with this rendition for vibraphone and two marimbas. The arrangement is rife with healthy musical

Composed so that it could be performed by three or four players and still hold its laid-back, groovy feel, this piece has elements of minimalism and drumset grooves. It can be felt in two different ways

The marimba is one of the most popular instruments in the Caribbean Islands. The performance of Caribbean music often features multiple players on a single marimba. Such is the case in Brian Slawson's

This piece is written for a trio of beginning mallet players and is inspired by the rhythms and harmonies of Mexico. It has an overall light and fun character to it, making it enjoyable for audiences as

As the title suggests, Tomfoolery is a piece that calls for three players with one tom each. It uses hocket rhythms between the players for the main thematic material in the opening and closing A

By design, Trio uses relatively inexpensive instruments and has a compact setup. Some are found instruments like cans, glass bottles, and planks of wood. The rest of the instruments are more