Concerto for Drum Pads
By John Kinyon
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0001973
$35.00
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Description
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Concerto for Drum Pads comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Mini Score Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
1
SKU:
00-PK-0001973
More about this title
About the Composer: John Kinyon
John Kinyon studied at Ithaca College and the Eastman School of Music, and later earned an honorary doctorate from Limestone College in South Carolina. His career spans instrumental music direction, administrative roles in school districts, educational leadership at Warner Brothers Music in New York, and music education faculty work at the University of Miami.
Kinyon has become one of the most prolific composers of educational band music, with over 250 published works for Alfred Music alone. His catalogue spans Grades 1 through 3 and encompasses marches, ballads, overtures, and pieces designed to engage young musicians at every level. Since 1982, he has maintained a semi-retired schedule in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, while continuing to compose.
Why we love this
Kinyon writes for percussion with genuine clarity and musicality rather than relegating it to a stereotypical rhythm section role. This Grade 1 concerto gives your snare and bass drum players something to really sink into while the rest of the band supports them, making every young percussionist feel like a soloist.
What to expect
Energetic and playful, with the drum pads trading figures and building momentum. The writing is transparent and fun rather than overly technical, making it feel accessible while still giving performers genuine musicianship to develop.
Who it's for
Young percussionists in beginning concert bands who rarely get a chance to play melodic material or take the spotlight. It works equally well for directors building percussion section morale and giving students a performance goal that feels substantial even at Grade 1.
How to get the most out of it
- Work the percussion parts separately before full band rehearsal so your players can secure the rhythmic patterns and develop confidence as featured voices.
- Balance the accompaniment carefully; the band should sit back enough that the drum pads feel truly prominent without drowning in orchestration.
- Consider light sticks or brushes on the bass drum to match the articulation clarity of the snare pad work, if stylistically appropriate for the passages.
How to use it
Program this as a section feature on a concert where percussion deserves its own moment, or use it early in the season to celebrate your newest players and motivate them to stay engaged with the ensemble. At one page, it slots easily into any concert format.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing on unpitched percussion instruments in a concert band context
- Balancing independence as a featured voice with sensitivity to ensemble sound
- Executing rhythmic precision and musical phrasing at a Grade 1 difficulty level
- Performing Grade 1 concert band repertoire with clear articulation and dynamic shape