Kaleidoscope: Drum Set
By Erik Morales
Grade: 3
Item: 98-PC-DJE4152_DS
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Description
Sporting a diverse set of styles, this incredibly unique chart features a flugelhorn solo and the trumpet section with angular themes that invoke images of light, color and symmetry. The swing section features your best alto sax player with simple chord changes and an optional written-out solo.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Kaleidoscope: Drum Set 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:
FJH Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DJE4152_DS
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales brings a distinctive harmonic and melodic sensibility to jazz, classical, and commercial music across numerous ensemble settings. Born in New York City in 1966, he began composing shortly after high school when a former band director commissioned him to arrange for marching band in 1985. That early opportunity set him on a path that has produced over 150 published works and led to regular commissions from schools and ensembles nationwide.
A trumpeter by training, Morales has made significant contributions to the trumpet repertoire, with his trumpet ensemble works earning first place finishes at the 2006 and 2008 National Trumpet Competitions. His Concerto for Trumpet in C and Piano premiered at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference, followed by a consortium commission for two trumpets and band premiered in 2013. In 2016, he was inducted into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, he has consistently sought to balance artistic merit with pedagogical value in his compositions.
Why we love this
Morales understands how to build momentum across a chart while keeping parts accessible. The flugelhorn solo and angular trumpet themes create visual and sonic interest that keeps both players and audiences engaged, while the swing section gives your lead alto a chance to shine with manageable harmonic language and an optional written-out solo that reduces pressure on improvisation.
What to expect
Kaleidoscope unfolds like a prism, refracting light and color through contrasting textures and harmonic perspectives. The angular trumpet writing captures geometric precision and brightness, while the swing section invites dancers into a more relaxed, blues-inflected groove.
Who it's for
Grade 3 jazz ensembles with solid fundamentals and strong soloists. This chart rewards programs that can field a reliable flugelhorn player and an accomplished alto saxophonist, making it ideal for festival preparation or showcase performances where ensemble depth and individual musicianship both matter.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the flugelhorn soloist against the ensemble by keeping background figures lean and rhythmically transparent; let that warm, mellow tone dominate the foreground.
- Lock the rhythm section into a solid groove during the swing section so the alto solo sits confidently over a predictable harmonic foundation.
- Rehearse the angular trumpet themes slowly to nail articulation and precision; once they're locked in rhythmically, the thematic content becomes clear and striking.
- Encourage your alto player to use the written-out solo as a reference or springboard for their own ideas rather than a fixed part; this builds confidence in stylistic improvisation.
How to use it
Program this as a standalone feature after a more traditional opening number; the stylistic variety and visual imagery of the title create a natural moment to reset the concert's energy and showcase your ensemble's range. Its contest-and-festival credentials also make it a strong candidate for winter or spring competition seasons.
Skills your students will build
- Reading mixed articulations (staccato, legato, accents) in trumpet and flugelhorn writing
- Accompanying soloists while maintaining rhythmic cohesion and groove
- Swing feel and jazz phrasing across ensemble sections
- Balancing angular, modern harmonic language with accessible chord changes
- Listening and responding to soloist expression without losing ensemble synchronization