Running Wild!: Percussion Mixed Duo & Ensemble, Sextet, Score and Parts

A Grade 2.5 percussion sextet that genuinely thrives on energy rather than complexity. Spears writes idiomatically for the percussion palette, the two-timpani requirement keeps logistics simple, while the repetitive harmonic and rhythmic material lets students absorb their parts quickly and focus on ensemble precision and that propulsive momentum the title promises.

A kinetic rush from start to finish. The writing bristles with constant motion, tom figures weaving through melodic lines on bells and xylophone while timpani and snare drive underneath. It's the sonic equivalent of something taking flight.

Middle school and early high school percussion ensembles ready to handle rhythmic independence and the coordination demanded of a six-part texture. This works equally well for advanced younger players or less experienced high schoolers seeking material with genuine musical payoff without steep technical hurdles.

• Lock in the timpani foundation early; they anchor the pulse for the entire ensemble and their steadiness directly impacts how sharp the tom rolls and stick work land.
• Balance the pitched percussion so the orchestral bells and xylophone project without overwhelming the drums. The mallet instruments carry melodic material that needs clarity.
• Lean into the forward motion with consistent tempo; this piece earns its excitement through relentless drive, not through pulling back or dragging.

Pair this with a slower, more lyrical work for a concert that showcases range and control. It's ideal as an opener or closer where you want the audience awake and the ensemble energized. Strong fit for a spring concert or any program needing a palate cleanser between heavier orchestral arrangements.

• Independence between pitched and unpitched percussion lines
• Reading across six separate parts with rhythmic staggering
• Maintaining forward momentum through syncopated figures
• Dynamic control and balance across mallet and stick instruments
• Precision in repeated rhythmic patterns at varying tempos