Category Archives: Percussion

Concert Audition Etudes Updates

It’s almost that time again: time to hold auditions to sort percussionists into their concert ensemble for next year! For the last several years I’ve been using Concert Percussion etudes I’ve composed as the audition material (I’ve posted about that before here). This year I’ve given them and overhaul to make them an even betterContinue reading “Concert Audition Etudes Updates”

Solo & Ensemble Breakdown

If you are in the market for solo and ensemble music for your percussionists, here is a handy breakdown of my pieces. It aims primarily at answering: “How many people?” “How much stuff?” “How hard is it?” Look it over and let me know if you have any questions. Best wishes for solo and ensemble!

2019 Recap

Great and Small, my solo keyboard work with optional audio accompaniment, was named an Editor’s Choice by Music Distributor J.W. Pepper. Several schools included my works on their programs for the Lassiter Percussion Symposium: Alpharetta High School performed Begin Transmission and Cambridge High School and Jackson High School both programmed Song Without Words. I hadContinue reading “2019 Recap”

‘Great and Small’ in Percussive Notes

Great and Small is a programmatic work comprised of two delightful movements for solo keyboard percussion with optional audio accompaniment. These vignettes depict the powerful beasts Leviathan and Behemoth when they were still young, whimsical, and childlike. Deemed ‘’medium-easy” by the publisher, it is appropriate for older middle school or younger high school students andContinue reading “‘Great and Small’ in Percussive Notes”

‘Guac Is Extra’ in Percussive Notes

“Guac is Extra” serves as a fun way to introduce students to the instruments and style of salsa music. John Herndon does a fantastic job of making the style accessible to younger players, as each uses two drums and an accessory instrument. The performance notes indicate the drums to be played with swizzle sticks; however,Continue reading “‘Guac Is Extra’ in Percussive Notes”

Rehearsal Schedule

Having a lot of staff members can be great! But, only if you communicate effectively… For every staff member you add you add a little Communication Overhead. Meaning that for every staff member you add you have to pay a little time in communication in order to receive quality work from them. If it isContinue reading “Rehearsal Schedule”

2018 Recap

I’m very grateful for another active year around byHerndon! Here’s some of what went on: The North Gwinnett Middle School Percussion Ensemble performed Begin Transmission at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The Milton High School Marching Band premiered The Art of Balance – which is available for purchase through The Music of AlexContinue reading “2018 Recap”

‘Jalopy’ in Percussive Notes

In addition to being a fun piece to play and program on a concert, it is also a great way to introduce young students to multiple-percussion score reading and basic extended playing techniques and notation. —Julie Licata Percussive Notes Vol. 56, No. 3, July 2018 You can check out the full review here.