Three Pieces: Percussion

Meyer's approach to percussion writing moves far beyond auxiliary color; these pieces demand serious musicianship from performers. The collection offers substantial material for percussionists ready to expand beyond the standard audition repertoire while maintaining accessibility for ensemble performance.

Meyer's writing balances precision with expressive range. These pieces avoid bombast while maintaining rhythmic drive and textural interest throughout.

Percussion ensembles and orchestral programs seeking contemporary repertoire with real substance. This collection works for advanced high school groups and college ensemble courses.

• Establish clear coordination between the multiple percussion parts; independence matters as much as synchronization across the full ensemble.
• Pay close attention to dynamic shaping within individual percussion voices. Meyer's scores reward sensitive interpretation of subtle gradations.
• Explore the resonance qualities of your instruments before rehearsal. The specific characteristics of your mallets and drums will influence both balance and color across the three pieces.

Include this on a concert featuring contemporary orchestral percussion works, or program individual pieces within larger ensemble performances. The 16-page scope makes it ideal for a focused study of modern European percussion composition.

• Reading complex rhythmic notation and mixed meters
• Balancing multiple percussion lines with independence and clarity
• Interpreting contemporary notation and performance directions
• Developing control and nuance in dynamic shaping across the ensemble