Suite for Percussion: Percussion Ensemble Book

$11.50 USD

Suite for Percussion: Percussion Ensemble Book

Name: Suite for Percussion: Percussion Ensemble Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-PERC9619
Price: 11.50 USD
Availability: InStock

For 4 Players

By Acton Ostling

Level: Intermediate

Item: 00-PERC9619

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For four players. This classic percussion suite is scored for four players, each performing (at different times) on three different instruments. The four movements are: March for Membranes, Dance o' Woods, Metallics, and Finale. Instrumentation: small snare drum, snare drumsticks, triangle, street drum, small woodblock, suspended cymbal (medium), bass drum, large woodblock, suspended cymbal (large), timpani, temple blocks (3), bells.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Suite for Percussion: Percussion Ensemble Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Percussion Ensemble Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 20

ISBN10: 0-7692-6637-1

ISBN13: 978-0-7692-6637-4

UPC: 029156271010

SKU: 00-PERC9619

More about this title

Why we love this

The four movements create a complete arc that showcases what percussion can do musically without relying on pitched instruments. Each player rotates through three different instruments, which keeps the writing fresh and forces thoughtful voice leading across the ensemble rather than relying on range or register.

What to expect

The piece moves from the crisp, military precision of the opening march through the fluid, dance-like rhythms of the second movement before arriving at the shimmer and resonance of suspended cymbals and bells. It feels orchestrated rather than merely percussion-based, with real harmonic content carried by struck instruments.

Who it's for

Intermediate percussion ensembles ready to tackle chamber music writing that treats each player as an equal voice. This suite works for high school quartets, college non-majors ensembles, or any group comfortable managing multiple instruments across four parts.

How to get the most out of it

Establish clear stick heights and articulation standards for the snare parts; the two snare drums (small and street) should sound distinct from each other, so work on the tonal differences early.
Map out who plays what in each movement before rehearsal begins. With three instruments per player rotating throughout, a quick visual guide posted in each part prevents confusion and speeds up transitions.
Pay attention to the temple block voicing in the Metallics movement. Three blocks at different pitches give you harmonic color; tune your ears to balance them as a true chord rather than three separate percussion sounds.
Record a run-through and listen for rhythmic cohesion across all four players. Since everyone is often playing different instruments simultaneously, precision matters more than in a typical drum line.

How to use it

Pair this with other mid-century percussion suites for a concert section that challenges students without demanding a soloist. Its four movements also make it a satisfying standalone work for a spring recital or a compelling closer to a percussion-focused program.