Shadow of the Longship: Mallet Percussion 1
By Eric Rath
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1698_M1
$7.00
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Description
Aggressive and powerful, this work captures the strength & intimidation of the fabled Norse vessels. Strong melodies and percussive punctuation give way to a floating middle section that harkens back to the warrior’s longing for home. A wonderful chance to show a range of expression while entertaining your concert audience.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1698_M1
More about this title
About the Composer: Eric Rath
Eric Rath combines a robust background in music education with an active composing and arranging career. He has directed bands and orchestras at the middle and high school levels, served as a percussion specialist, and taught percussion at the college level. His original works and arrangements are published by Alfred Music, FJH Music, Tapspace Publications, and TRN Music, with performances at the Midwest Clinic, Texas Music Educator's Association Convention, and the International Double Reed Society's Convention.
Beyond the concert hall, Rath is a freelance percussionist with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and Amarillo Opera, co-author of several percussion education resources including "Beyond Basic Percussion" and the "Five Minute Drill" and "Nine Minute Drill" fundamentals books, and an alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He holds degrees from West Texas A&M University and maintains affiliations with the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and ASCAP. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and educational artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc.
Why we love this
Rath builds genuine drama into a piece that sits comfortably at Grade 1.5, giving developing bands real musical substance without overwhelming them technically. The architecture is smart: aggressive opening material that lets students play with power and confidence, followed by a vulnerable floating section that demands expressive control and shows your ensemble's range. It's the kind of work that audiences remember because the emotional arc feels earned, not manufactured.
What to expect
The opening surges with Nordic warrior strength: aggressive, percussive, built on bold melodic lines that give every section something concrete to play. The middle section dissolves into something intimate and reflective, evoking the vulnerability beneath the warrior's armor. The return to power feels cathartic, a reunion of outer strength and inner longing.
Who it's for
Grade 1.5 concert bands ready to tackle expressive music with character and dramatic range. This is ideal for ensembles that have solid fundamentals but benefit from repertoire that teaches them how to color and shape phrases, not just play notes accurately.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the aggressive opening sections with clear dynamic peaks and valleys; avoid letting the strong rhythmic content flatten into one dynamic level.
- Let the middle floating section breathe; use generous space around the melodic lines so the "longing for home" sentiment reads clearly.
- Balance the percussive punctuation throughout so it highlights rather than overshadows the band's melodic voices.
- Control the transition back to the powerful material after the middle section; make it feel like a return to battle rather than a sudden shift.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener to grab immediate attention, or use it mid-concert to show your band's dynamic and emotional range. It works well on festival or contest programs where adjudicators will appreciate the balance of technical accessibility and genuine musical content. Pair it with lyrical selections to highlight the ensemble's versatility across contrasting styles.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic contrast and shaping across extended phrases
- Distinguishing between rhythmic punctuation and melodic prominence
- Expressive control in slower, floating sections
- Ensemble balance when doubling melodies across multiple instruments
- Transition management between contrasting musical ideas