Santavich Holiday Special


2009 Santavich Holiday Special (even more FREE stuff than last year!):

1) Spend $30 or more, and get one item ($20 or less) FREE.
2) Spend $50 or more, and get any item FREE.
3) Spend $100 or more, and get any 2 items FREE.

*To redeem your FREE Santavich gifts, indicate which free item(s) you would like in an email to orders@bachovich.com.

~Thank you for visiting us at PASIC '09! This was our best year yet, and for that we'd like to reward you! This special is good until Dec. 31st. If you order by December 15th, you should receive your order by Christmas.~

Featured Composition: Go! for marimba and percussion duo by Robert McClure

Go! is a duo for marimba (4-mallets) and percussion by Robert McClure. The piece is high-energy and groove-oriented: rhythmic and harmonic support in the marimba allow for soloistic play from the other performer, on three congas, vibraphone, triangle, suspended cymbal, and two other hand drums (chosen by player and used for improvisation). The composer sums it up best:

"This piece explores the natural energy in every percussionist that tells us to get up, go, and go fast!"

Go! won 2nd place at the 2008 IronWorks Percussion Duo Composition Contest and was premiered by the IronWorks Percussion Duo on October 12, 2008. For audio and video clips, click HERE.

Featured Book: Techniques and Basic Patterns for Congas, Bongos, and Timbales by Rolando Morales-Matos

You saw Rolando play faster and hipper than anyone at PASIC…now learn his way around the drums--step-by-step, with Audio Instructions and Musical Examples--that made for one of the most memorable performances in convention history. Check out Techniques and Basic Patterns for Congas, Bongos, and Timbales (2 CDs included!) this holiday season. For more info, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) From the Earth - Drumming with the Hang [Drum] by Rolando Morales-Matos

You were mesmerized at PASIC by his musicality on this rare (but ever-popular) instrument, the Hang Drum…now hear how Rolando translates his Latin skills to this melodic hand drum from Switzerland on From the Earth: Drumming with the Hang. This is the first ever CD featuring all Hang Drum!! A great stocking stuffer and stress reliever during the busy Holiday times. For audio samples, click HERE. Sit back, relax, and enjoy...

Featured Composer/Arranger: Joel Harrison

Joel Harrison is a composer, guitarist, and vocalist who has put a unique compositional touch on a number of different musical styles. Joel was born in Washington, D.C. and studied with Joan Tower at Bard College (BA 1980). During the 1990s, Joel worked in jazz while living in San Francisco; he then moved to New York City in 1999, where he continued to experiment with jazz, contemporary classical, Appalachian, blues, African, and Indian styles.

Joel has won awards for his jazz and percussion compositions. He has twice been selected as the winner of the Jazz Composer's Alliance Julius Hemphill Composition Competition, and has been the recipient of commissions from Chamber Music America, Meet the Composer, the Cary Trust, NYSCA, Jerome Foundation, and others. He has also worked with a number of musical greats, including Dave Liebman, Norah Jones, David Binney, Jamey Haddad, Dan Weiss, Dewey Redman, Uri Caine, Todd Reynolds, Wendy Sutter, Christian Howes, and Caleb Burhans.

Bachovich carries three great Harrison percussion compositions. His marimba solo Fear of Silence won the 2007 PASIC Composition Competition and Why Has the Hunter Not Returned? for marimba duo won first place in the 2009 Ironworks Percussion Duo Composition Competition. Bachovich also carries Harrison's Faith in Nights for Percussion Quartet and Piano. Click on the links to read more about and hear clips of each of Joel's diverse compositions.

Happy Holidays Joel. We look forward to more percussion compositions in 2010!

Highlights (December)

ANNOUNCING THE WORLD PREMIERE of Fer Barre Kona Jeno, a West African Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra (GYIL solo composed by Kakraba Lobi, adapted and arranged for marimba by Valerie Naranjo, orchestrated by Bachovich Composer Andrew Beall). Performed by Valerie Naranjo and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, this will be premiered at Cleveland State University this Saturday, December 12th, 2009!


The Ethos Series

Bachovich Music Publications is proud to announce The Ethos Series!


Over the past decade, the Ethos Percussion Group has commissioned and premiered more than 25 works for Percussion Quartet. These diverse compositions reflect Ethos' interests in both contemporary and non-Western styles, and they have been regularly performed by the ensemble on its national tours.

Bachovich Music Publications is proud to team up with the Ethos Percussion Group to release these works to the world, for the first time ever, in print!

To learn more about the Ethos Percussion Group, take a look at their website at www.ethospercussiongroup.org.


~Bachovich Welcomes TEN New Composers:

-Gene Koshinski - Capriccio, viola solo by Henry Vieuxtemps, transcribed for solo marimba
-Glen Velez - Sol Tunnels for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Trey Files - see/change for percussion octet (The Ethos Series)
-John La Barbera - MarimBa Ba Suite for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Robert Levin - Break it Down for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Matthew Welch - Loch Fyne Variations for mallet quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Wang Guowei - Two Pieces for Percussion Quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Tom Nazziola - From Here to There for percussion quintet
-Sean Statser - Entanglement for marimba duet
-Patrick Bailey - Journeys for percussion ensemble

~Other New Exciting Publications Available this month:

-Fer Barre Kona Jeno ("Don't Play Favorites"): West African Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra by Kakraba Lobi/Valerie Naranjo/Andrew Beall


~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in Japan, France, Belgium, England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.


~Out on the Road: Check out Bachovich composers Richard Grimes, Michael Eagle, and Andrew Beall as they embark on their 2nd tour with Axiom Percussion, performing all original music (published by Bachovich):


The Ethos Series

Bachovich Music Publications is proud to announce The Ethos Series!


Over the past decade, the Ethos Percussion Group has commissioned and premiered more than 25 works for Percussion Quartet. These diverse compositions reflect Ethos' interests in both contemporary and non-Western styles, and they have been regularly performed by the ensemble on its national tours.

Bachovich Music Publications is proud to team up with the Ethos Percussion Group to release these works to the world, for the first time ever, in print!

To learn more about the Ethos Percussion Group, take a look at their website at www.ethospercussiongroup.org.

Featured Composition: In Other Words for Solo Percussion and Tape by Joseph Pereira

In Other Words (written for Chris Lamb) pairs percussion with exotic languages (recorded on tape) in three continuous movements. In each movement, the percussion parts help "translate" and highlight the quintessential aspects of each of the associated languages: pandeiro with Japanese; brushes on drums and cymbals with Portuguese; gongs, bongos, woodblocks, and claves with Mandarin. The unique pairings of exotic percussion with each language creates a whole new colorful sound world in this great solo percussion showpiece. For more info, click HERE.

Featured Book: Advanced Rhythm Studies by Samuel Solomon

Samuel Solomon's book Advanced Rhythm Studies is a great resource for learning and building up the skills to play complicated poly- and syncopated rhythms. The book drills the rhythmic "vocabulary," using marching as a rhythmic reference. The rhythmic studies are challenging but are approached in an accessible manner and built up gradually from basic patterns. Using this book will help all percussionists gain proficiency with complicated patterns and make them fun to play. A percussionist's must-have. For more info, click HERE.

Featured Media: (DVD) A Rhythmic Murder Mystery by Wes Crawford

"Hello, I'm Phineas Bodie. Most people call me P. Bodie. The envelope I'm holding contains the missing note from John Cage's piece, '4'33" of Almost Silence'. There are powers that will stop at nothing to keep me from delivering this envelope to the proper authorities. In fact, I'm being followed at this very moment. I must leave immediately!"

Alas, these are the last words of P. Bodie (played by Wes Crawford). Now it's up to you to solve the mystery and recover the "missing note!"


Wes Crawford's A Rhythmic Murder Mystery (DVD) is an interactive rhythmic adventure. Play along and use your active listening skills to find the clues hidden in the recorded performances to solve the musical murder mystery. The DVD--adapted from Crawford's live Murder Mystery performance--and is a great tool to teach listening and is fun for all. Can you solve the mystery? To purchase, click HERE. To see some clips from and learn more about the DVD, click HERE.

Featured Composer/Arranger: Alexandre Lunsqui

Brazilian composer Alexandre Lunsqui (Sao Paolo) graduated from the University of Campinas, and he has pursued post-graduate composition work at the University of Iowa, Columbia University, and IRCAM. Alexandre's works have been performed around the world and in prestigious new-music festivals (including Darmstadt and PASIC). The Ministry of Culture of Brazil awarded the Virtuose Prize to Alexandre for his compositions.

Bachovich carries a variety of Alexandre's compositions. Try SHI for percussion trio, Rupturas duo for vibraphone and piano, and Ligare for flute and percussion. Make sure to hear the world premiere of Alex's newest piece Entresons.Recreo for percussion sextet, at PASIC: Thursday, November 12th, 2009, 10am - Northern Illinois University Percussion Ensemble. Good luck Alexandre!

Highlights (November)

~Bachovich @ PASIC 2009!~

Take advantage of the Bachovich Economic Stimulus Package at PASIC 2009:
-Receive 50% off at PASIC!! -- Be the VERY first person to purchase from our PASIC booth, and mention this e-newsletter with promo code "BMP"
-Receive 20% off at PASIC!! -- Be one of the next 3 people to purchase from our PASIC booth, and mention this e-newsletter with promo code "BMP"
-Receive 10% off at PASIC!! -- Be one of the next 5 people people to purchase from our PASIC booth, and mention this e-newsletter with promo code "BMP"


~Learn From The Best: See Bachovich arranger and timpani soloist Jonathan Haas in his PASIC Professional Development presentation: "Starting, Maintaining and Growing a Percussion Rental Company" - 3PM, Thursday Nov 12th, PASIC

~Watch The Best: See Bachovich composer and Afro-Cuban percussion guru Rolando Morales-Matos jam with Tommy Igoe's Birdland Big Band - 8pm, Saturday Nov 14th, PASIC

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~Bachovich Welcomes NINE New Composers in November:


-Glen Velez - Sol Tunnels for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Trey Files - see/change for percussion octet (The Ethos Series)
-John La Barbera - MarimBa Ba Suite for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Robert Levin - Break it Down for percussion quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Matthew Welch - Loch Fyne Variations for mallet quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Wang Guowei - Two Pieces for Percussion Quartet (The Ethos Series)
-Tom Nazziola - From Here to There for percussion quintet
-Sean Statser - Entanglement for marimba duet
-Patrick Bailey - Journeys for percussion ensemble

~Other New Exciting Publications Available this month:

-Rancho Jubilee for cajon trio by Andrew Beall - WATCH THIS PIECE LIVE AT PASIC!! (New Literature Session with Brett Dietz and L.S.U. - Thursday, November 12, 4pm)
-Entresons.Recreo for percussion sextet by Alexandre Lunsqui - WATCH THIS PIECE LIVE AT PASIC!! (Greg Beyer and N.I.U. - Thursday, November 12, 10am)
-Danza Del Fuego for solo marimba by John La Barbera
-Four Pieces for Solo Vibraphone by Larry Spivack
-Bagatelles for solo vibraphone by Joseph Pastor
-Lament (for American Casualties of War) for 2 trumpets, snare drum, and timpani by Joseph Pastor
-Disco Generation for percussion ensemble and rhythm section by Yves Carlin
-Young Generation for percussion ensemble, guitar, and bass guitar by Yves Carlin
-The Boy with the Black Mallets Trio for percussion trio by Yves Carlin

~Transferring Publishers: Thanks to Tom Nazziola for publishing his From Here to There with Bachovich! (Recently published with GoFish).

~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in Japan, France, Belgium, England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.

Featured Composition: Three Songs for Solo Marimba (Amor en Primavera, Corrida Real, My Favorite Things) by Mayumi Sekizawa


Three Songs for Solo Marimba is a collection of arrangements by Japanese marimba virtuoso Mayumi Sekizawa. The first two, "Amor en Primavera" and "Corrida Real," are based on works by the great flamenco guitarist Manolo Sanlucar. "Amor en Primavera" is sunny and vibrant, depicting the beauty of Andalucia, and "Corrida Real" is a tribute to bull fighting. The third song in the collection is "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. This is one of Sekizawa's favorite songs, and her arrangement for solo marimba has an improvisatory character. All three works are beautiful, spirited arrangements that will surely prove rewarding to learn and enjoyable to perform. To hear audio samples from each song, click HERE.

Featured Book: Subway Musings - Ten Miniatures for Solo Vibraphone by Richard Grimes


Subway Musings is a collection of ten short vibraphone solos, inspired by Richard Grimes' experience performing on the 14th Street/Union Square subway platform in New York City. The miniatures can be played independently or as a suite. But, Grimes hopes for more: he encourages embellishment and believes these songs can become the basis for improvisation, and he imagines that they can be performed on other instruments or arranged for ensembles. Grimes offers his blessing for creativity and hopes these songs will provide artistic inspiration. To hear audio samples, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) Global Percussion - Joseph Gramley


Check out Joseph Gramley's CD Global Percussion (one of three Gramley recordings distributed by Bachovich). This collection of world and contemporary solo works for marimba and multi-percussion features a couple Gramley favorites, including "Ganda Yina" (marimba solo based on traditional African melody) and "1+1" (a classic from Philip Glass). Gramley is one of the the world's greatest solo percussionists, and Global Percussion is a CD not to miss. To hear samples from every track on the CD, click HERE.

Featured Composer: Brian Mason


Brian Mason is a trailblazer in the field of marching percussion ensemble and is recognized worldwide for his work with the Cavaliers and Phantom Regiment drum corps. Brian currently is the Percussion Coordinator/Designer for the Santa Clara Vanguard. Additionally, Brian is a member of the faculty of Morehead Sate University, where he is director of the award-winning marching percussion ensemble and performs with the Faculty Jazz and Chamber Ensembles and Brass Quintet. Brian is also a member of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. To get a taste for Brian's ensemble writing, check out Horizons for percussion ensemble (11 players), percussion trio, or marimba-vibraphone duet.

Highlights (October)

~Bachovich Welcomes New Composers/Arrangers:

-Andrew Kruspe/Matt Jordan with their 2nd place DCI percussion ensemble arrrangement of Oliver Rivo's "Er Sammelt Muscheln"
-Jared Soldiviero and his groovin' multi-percussion duet Palindromes
-Pablo Bagilet and his heart-wrenching Argentinean Suite for vibraphone
-Tizoc Ceballos and his award-winning multi-percussion duet Ollin
-Rich Greenblatt and his 3 hot jazz vibes CDs: Mooin', Hot & Dry, and Hat Trick


~Other New Exciting Publications:

-Rancho Jubilee for cajon trio by Andrew Beall
-Advanced Rhythm Studies by Samuel Solomon
-500 4-Surface Patterns for 4-mallet and drum set applications by Samuel Solomon
-Variations on the First Three Pages of George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control by Samuel Solomon
-Repousse for percussion quartet by Joseph Pereira
-Wanderings for percussion quartet by Daniel Temkin
-Why Has the Hunter Not Returned? for marimba duet by Joel Harrison (1st place winner of the Ironworks Percussion Duo Competition)
-Sufficiently Funky for solo snare drum by Danny Soulier

~Transferring Publishers: Thanks to Robert McClure for publishing his "...of the Earth" with Bachovich! (Recently published with GoFish).


~On Broadway: Congrats to Bachovich composer Charlie Descarfino, who's the percussionist in the Broadway revival of Ragtime, starting this month!

~Teaching up a Storm: Congrats to Bachovich composer Joseph Tompkins, who's now teaching at Mannes College of Music (as well as heading up the percussion department at Rutgers University).


~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in Japan, France, Belgium, England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.

Featured Composition: Song of ‘Almah - Andrew Beall

"Beall has found the key to composing for marimba and soprano"
~PAS News
"Strong, honest, and musically sincere"
~Gordon Stout

3 Versions!
1. Marimba & Soprano
2. Marimba & Cello
3. Marimba, Soprano, and Strings


Watch the premiere (marimba and soprano, with strings):
-Movement 1
-Movement 2
-Movement 3

Andrew Beall’s Song of ‘Almah is a moving three-movement work, based on the text of the Biblical “Song of Solomon.” The soprano (or cello) part is lyrical and virtuosic, and the marimba alternates roles between rich accompaniment and solo melodic voice.

The Song of ‘Almah was originally conceived for voice (singing text from the “Song of Solomon”), but the passionate timbre and soulfulness of the cello proved a perfect instrumental substitute for the soprano. The arrangement with 5 string parts adds further depth, drama, and lush accompaniment, which can be performed with full string orchestra or a simple string quintet. For more information on Beall’s Song of ‘Almah and for audio samples of all three versions, click the following links: marimba and soprano, marimba and cello, marimba and soprano with strings.

Featured Book: How to Write for Percussion – Samuel Solomon


How to Write for Percussion, written by Samuel Solomon (percussion soloist, faculty at The Boston Conservatory and Boston University) is THE definitive book on composing for percussion, and it has garnered rave reviews:

“A true contribution to the literature of orchestration.” - Samuel Adler, Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music; Composition Faculty, The Juilliard School; Author, The Study of Orchestration.

This book is a must-have for composers (experts and percussion-writing novices), arrangers, conductors, and performers. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) 18th Century Concertos for Timpani and Orchestra – Jonathan Haas


This unique recording, by timpani virtuoso Jonathan Haas and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta (directed by Harold Farberman), consists of three little-known Classical-period works that feature timpani in a solo role:

~Johann Fischer (1752-1807) – Symphony for Eight Timpani and Orchestra

~George Druschetzky (1745-1819) – Partita in C Major and Concerto for Oboe, Eight Timpani and Orchestra


These rare pieces, some of the earliest works prominently featuring the timpani as a solo instrument, deserve to be heard by all percussionists and Classical enthusiasts. To hear audio samples, click HERE. And, for purchasing information, click HERE.

Featured Composer: Pablo Rieppi


Pablo Rieppi is truly a man about town (in New York City). He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the American Symphony Orchestra, and he is the Principal Percussionist of the Gotham Symphony Orchestra. Pablo has played in a number of contemporary music ensembles and Broadway shows (including Legally Blonde and West Side Story) and with jazz and R&B greats, including Joe Zawinul, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.

Pablo’s compositions have won film festival awards (music for the film Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story) and been performed by the New York University Percussion Ensemble and VisionIntoArt (on tour in Italy). Bachovich carries Pablo’s book Snare Drum Technique: Essential Exercises for Daily Practice, which provides the perfect warm-up routine for all drummers (beginner and professional; classical, rudimental, and set player).

Good luck Pablo on what is surely a busy fall 2009.

Highlights

~Congratulations!: To the winners of the Ironworks Percussion Duo 2nd Annual Composition Contest: Joel Harrison (1st place) with marimba duet Why Has the Hunter Not Returned?, and Tizoc Ceballos (2nd place) with multi-percussion duet Ollin. Joel also recently received 3 new composition grants and released a new CD, Urban Myths, on Highnote Records. For more information on Joel, please visit www.joelharrison.com. For more information on Tizoc, please visit tizocceballos.com.
For more information on the Ironworks Percussion Duo, visit www.ironworkspercussion.com.

~Gold Medalists: Congrats to the Boston Crusaders Percussion Ensemble for winning the DCI Percussion Ensemble Competition with the 3rd Mvt. of Bachovich composer Andrew Beall's percussion concerto, Affirmation.

Watch the video on Youtube and below:



~CimbFest a Success: In June, Bachovich composer Richard Grimes hosted and directed the first American Concert Cimbalom Festival (www.cimbfest.com) in Lancaster, MA at Atlantic Union College.



~Bachovich Welcomes New Composers: Jared Soldiviero and his groovin' multi-percussion duet Palindromes; Pablo Bagilet and his heart-wrenching Argentinean Suite for vibraphone, Tizoc Ceballos and his award-winning multi-percussion duet Ollin, and Rich Greenblatt and his 3 hot jazz vibes CDs: Mooin', Hot & Dry , and Hat Trick.

~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.

Featured Compositon: G-Spot Tornado for Percussion Ensemble by Frank Zappa/arr. D. Wallace


Frank Zappa’s G-Spot Tornado comes from his 1986 album Jazz from Hell. This challenging arrangement, by Doug Wallace, is written for 8 percussionists (or 7 plus electric bass), and is an exciting work for any college percussion ensemble. One part requires serious rock drumming (a la Rouse’s Bonham) and the other parts are full of mallet percussion (marimba, glockenspiel, vibes) and accessories. G-Spot Tornado encapsulates all the rhythmic intensity, melodic imagination, and excitement of the Zappa band in a great percussion ensemble work. For more info on Frank Zappa and G-Spot Tornado, click HERE.

Featured Book: 6 Duets in a Rudimental Style by Joe Tompkins


Joe Tompkins’ 6 Duets in a Rudimental Style is a collection of snare and bass drum duos in a “funky fife and drum style.” Tompkins has an ever-expanding collection of rudimental snare solos and studies (including his popular Nine French-American Rudimental Solos), and his 6 Duets in a Rudimental Style will please any percussionist seeking more rudimental works. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Media: (DVD) Andrew Beall's Testament: Symphony for Marimba and Orchestra


This DVD features the 2004 world-premiere Andrew Beall’s Testament: Symphony for Marimba and Orchestra, performed by composer Beall as marimba soloist and the Tower Philharmonic in New York City. In addition to the concert, the DVD contains a variety of special features, including video of rehearsals and enlightening behind-the-scenes footage. Click HERE to watch clips from the concert footage. And, to purchase, click HERE.

Featured Composer/Arranger: Deane Prouty


Like many Bachovich Music Publications composer/percussionists, Deane Prouty has his foot in many areas of music. As classical percussionist, he has performed with a number of symphonies, including the American Symphony, the American Composers Orchestra, The American Ballet Theater, The Joffrey Ballet, and The Orchestra of St. Lukes. Deane has played on more than 20 shows in Broadway (Les Miserables, Spamalot, Hairspray, etc.) and spent seven years traveling with the national productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Music of the Night, West Side Story, Annie, and Beauty and the Beast. He is also an early music specialist and has performed on Baroque Timpani in Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Symphony Hall and in other venues and early music festivals around the world. In addition, Deane has recorded for a number of record labels and has been the percussionist for Melissa Manchester, Nell Carter, Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, Jane Olivor, Bobby Day, The Coasters, and Robert Goulet. There is no doubt that Deane’s performance schedule is diverse.

Deane is also an innovative guy: he holds two patents of invention from the US government and is listed in the Who’s Who of American Inventors. And, his innovation carries into composition: Bachovich Music Publications publishes Deane’s arrangement of Gustav Holst’s The Planets for 2 Pianos and Percussion. The piano parts for the arrangement are the original piano scores (sold separately) that Holst wrote before orchestrating the full symphonic version. To accompany the two piano scores, Deane composed parts (for 2 players or an ensemble of percussionists) that include all of the original percussion parts from the orchestral version but also imitate the colors and timbres of the full orchestra. Thanks Deane, for this innovative work. For more info on this great arrangement, click HERE.

Featured Composition: Maleza for Percussion Trio - Javier Diaz

Afro-Cuban percussion specialist Javier Diaz's trio Maleza (the Spanish word for "forest" or "wilderness") is a through-composed (two movement) work, blending urban beats and world percussion. Grooves in the piece are inspired by drum-and-bass, Afro-Cuban Abakua and Rumba patterns, and West African agogo bell rhythms, and are highlighted by constant shifts in rhythm and timbre. This trio, premiered by the NYU Percussion Ensemble, has (in the words of the composer) "an intense rhythmic drive and a very colorful sonic landscape." For a fresh new world percussion-inspired trio, check out Maleza. Click HERE to purchase.

Featured Book: The PAS MassChap 2008 Snare Drum Collection - compiled by Samuel Solomon

The PAS MassChap 2008 Snare Drum Collection (compiled by Samuel Solomon) is a collection of forty new snare etudes. Eleven of the etudes were written by commission, and the others were selected as winners of the first annual PAS MassChap Etude Competition (in which there were nearly 50 submissions from across the country and even overseas). Check out this great new collection with etudes written by forty different composers and percussionists of various musical backgrounds and skill levels. All proceeds from the book's sale benefit the Massachusetts Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. A wonderful addition to every snare drummers' collection. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Composer: Duncan Patton

Duncan Patton is the Principal Timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and co-chair of the Percussion Department at the Manhattan School of Music. Before performing with the Met, Duncan played with a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles and he performed in a duo with marimba soloist Mayumi Sekizawa. Bachovich publishes two marimba-timpani duets by Duncan--Gemini Return and Primordial Variations--written for Mayumi and Chris Lamb, respectively. These are challenging works that both contrast and blend the timbres of the instruments and require a high level of technical ability and ensemble playing. Duncan also has a short timpani solo [6 minutes] entitled Two Interludes, taken from his larger work, Fierce Murmurs, for timpani and percussion ensemble. For exciting timpani and percussion writing from a great timpanist, look to Duncan Patton.

Featured Media: (CD) From The Earth: Drumming with the Hang - Rolando Morales-Matos

Rolando Morales-Matos is a prolific composer (in addition to being a busy performer!) and is a mainstay in the BMP E-News Features section. This time, we feature Rolando's CD From the Earth: Drumming with the Hang. The CD consists of all original solo percussion works (by Rolando) and featues Rolando performing on hang drum (a metal, tuned drum, played with the hands, that is acoustically similar to a steelpan). His compositions and performance on the CD have impressed musicians of all backgrounds, like legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter:

"I was stunned by the musicianship, the compositions, the fantastic recorded sound, the performance. Bravo Mr. Morales-Matos!!"

and percussion guru Bob Becker:

"Either the Hang Drum was made for Rolando Matos, or he was made for it. The songs on From the Earth are lovely and Rolando's playing is scintillating."

The hang drum, the newest rave on YouTube, is finally featured on a studio album. This is a must-have solo and world percussion CD. Take our word for it, but the music speaks for itself. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Composition: Parallel Passages (solo timpani + tape) by Tom Hamilton


This Underground Classic by Tom Hamilton for timpani and tape from the late 1970s is a unique choice for any student or professional recital. The 1970s-style synthesized electronic soundscape (provided on CD) creates a evocative canvas for the driving rhythms and ethereal glissandi in the timpani. This work (recently rediscovered) is probably the first to feature timpani with electronics! Click HERE to hear audio samples.

Featured Book: Techniques and Basic Patterns for Congas, Timbales, and Bongos by Rolando Morales-Matos


This comprehensive Latin percussion book, written by expert Rolando Morales-Matos (Bachovich January Composer of the Month), is a must-have for all students. Working through this Latin percussion Bible provides the equivalent of a year of private instruction on each instrument. The book has already received rave reviews:

Techniques and Basic Patterns for Congas Timbales, and Bongos is exactly what I had been waiting for all these years: a comprehensive approach for those coming into the study of Latin percussion from someone who "gets it". No one better in the world to put out this book than this superb artist who understands how the mind of a classically-trained percussionist really works in relation to these instruments! Congratulations and THANK YOU for this fabulous pedagogical tool!
~ Fernando Meza (University of Minnesota).

Included with the book are 2 CDs, full of audio samples of the exercises and patterns to help in mastering congas, timbales, and bongos. For more reviews and audio samples, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) Synchronicity - Like Minds


Like Minds is the recording debut for brothers Garah and Gregory Landes as piano-percussion duo Synchronicity. The CD features a fusion of jazz and classical styles through transcriptions (including Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Debussy’s The Sunken Cathedral) and original works. The duo is also joined by soprano and double bass for select works on the CD. The percussion playing features a virtuosic display of melodic and multi-percussion. Like Minds features talented musicians performing a mix of challenging piano-percussion duo repertoire. For audio and video samples and more info, click HERE.

Composer of the Month: Charlie Descarfino


Charlie Descarfino, this month's featured Bachovich percussionist/composer, is at home in a wide range of musical environments. He has performed with a number of classical ensembles, including the American Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the American Composer's Orchestra, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the EOS Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He is a mainstay on Broadway, having performed on the shows Sweet Charity, Thoroughly Modern Millie, City of Angels, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, Suessical, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He has recorded for a number of record labels and jingles and can be heard on Disney's Mulan and the movie version of The Producers. Additionally, he is well-versed in jazz and popular circles, having performed with the Louie Bellson Big Band and artists such as Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, Freddy Cole, Kenny Rankin, Ben Vereen, and Jewel. To call Charlie's musical background diverse is an understatement.

Explore Charlie's compositional style in his work Temples, Evening, Winds, and Metal for flute and percussion quartet. The flute and metallic percussion (vibraphone, gongs, wind chimes, etc.) create a beautiful setting for the reading of 17th century Japanese haikus. The work is deep and nuanced and paints a brilliant Japanese landscape. For more information and audio samples, click HERE.

Thank you, Charlie, for your wonderful piece!

Featured Composition: The Cymbal Guy


Larry Spivak's "The Cymbal Guy" is a brief rapperetta for 11 actor/musicians (8 play crash cymbals), which features The Cymbal Guy accessory (the hi-hat-mounted cymbal crasher). This fun piece of musical drama shows off The Cymbal Guy and helps teach crash cymbal technique and good ensemble playing. Great for any high school or college percussion ensemble concert. For more info on "The Cymbal Guy" and rental parts, click HERE. To buy The Cymbal Guy attachment from Beall Percussion Specialties, click HERE.

Featured Book: Snare Drum Technique: Essential Exercises for Daily Practice


Pablo Rieppi's Snare Drum Technique: Essential Exercises for Daily Practice is a necessity for every drummer, providing all the important warm-ups one could ever need. Playing through the entire book constitutes the perfect daily warm-up. Exercises cover rolls, embellishments, all the essential rudiments, and polyrhythms. A must-have for all percussionists!

"It's a really terrific collection of exercises to warm up and challenge your technique!" - Greg Zuber, The Metropolitan Opera

Read more testimonials and buy the book HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) My Favorite Things (Mayumi Sekizawa, marimba)


My Favorite Things (CD) is Japanese marimba soloist Mayumi Sekizawa's first release (2005). Sekizawa is an international soloist, and her CD features important marimba repertoire, Sekizawa's own riveting arrangements, and one of her original compositions. This CD is great for percussionists and is a perfect gift for any music-lover.

"The arrangements by Sekizawa are brilliantly performed...the original composition that ends the CD is a reflective choral and a classy touch to the end of a great recording." - Julia Gaines, University of Missouri, review in PAS News

For audio samples, click HERE.

To go to Sekizawa's Official website, click HERE.

Composer of the Month: Joseph Pereira


Joseph Pereira is the new Principal Timpanist of the LA Philharmonic (and had been Assistant Timpanist and Percussionist with the New York Philharmonic since 1998), but is also becoming a force in the world of composition. His works have been played around the world, including performances at Darmstadt and in Alice Tully Hall. Pereira's harmonic language is "Bracing and astringent" (Anthony Tommasini, New York Times), the perfect challenge for any advanced percussion student or professional. Try his multi-percussion solo Word of Mouth for 8 drums (4 dry, 4 resonant). Pereria's quartet Facing the Mirror and solo In Other Words feature percussion and tape. Or try his works for mixed instrumentation: Three Movements for Violin and Vibraphone and Bento Box (for alto flute, guitar, and vibraphone). Click the titles for audio samples.