We Wish You a Mambo Christmas: B-flat Clarinet 3
Arranged by Erik Morales
Grade: 5
Item: 98-PC-DB1457_C3
$7.00
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Description
Celebrate the holidays mambo-style! This stunning arrangement features authentic grooves using only those percussion instruments found in a typical Latin percussion ensemble. Optional piano and electric bass parts are included to make the piece even more engaging. After the piece moves into a more relaxed mambo feel, the music suddenly switches to double-time in a jaw-dropping transition that brings the piece to a fiery conclusion. This is one way to set your winter concert on fire!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1457_C3
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales was born in New York City on December 10, 1966, and has built a prolific career bridging classical composition with accessible educational music. A trumpet player by training, he studied composition at Florida International University and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette in 1989. His arranging work began in 1985 when a former band director invited him to write for a south Florida high school marching band, launching him into the educational publishing world.
Since 2002, Morales' works have circulated worldwide across wind ensembles, orchestras, jazz groups, and chamber settings. He has published over 150 compositions and arrangements, many of which balance artistic integrity with classroom teachability. His trumpet writing has earned particular recognition, with works winning first place at the 2006 and 2008 National Trumpet Competitions. A 2016 inductee into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame, Morales continues to receive commissions from schools and organizations nationwide.
Why we love this
Morales captures the energy of Latin percussion vocabulary without requiring specialized instrumentation, making this arrangement immediately accessible for typical concert band programs. The trajectory from grooved mambo through double-time intensity creates a holiday piece with genuine musical arc rather than novelty appeal, giving your winter concert a polished, contemporary sound.
What to expect
Infectious and propulsive, the mambo groove carries a warmth that feels celebratory without being treacly. The sudden acceleration into double-time creates genuine visceral excitement, leaving audiences energized as the piece concludes with genuine musical punch rather than gentle sentiment.
Who it's for
This arrangement works for Grade 5 concert bands that have solid rhythmic literacy and some experience with Latin idioms. It suits programs looking for holiday repertoire with personality and contemporary flair, especially those serving directors who want to program something beyond traditional carol arrangements.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the mambo clave pattern early in rehearsals. Have your percussion section practice the rhythmic foundation separately so the horns can layer their melodies with confidence.
- The optional piano and electric bass parts deserve careful consideration. If you have strong players for these roles, they'll anchor the groove authenticity and allow you to dial back demands on your main rhythm section.
- Prepare the double-time transition explicitly. Mark the exact tempo change in all parts, conduct a clear preparatory gesture, and give your ensemble multiple run-throughs at performance tempo so the shift lands with impact rather than chaos.
How to use it
Place this toward the closing section of your winter concert to capitalize on its high energy and lift the room before your final bows. It pairs well alongside more traditional holiday selections, offering programmatic contrast while maintaining festive spirit.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing Latin percussion patterns (clave, tumbao, mambo rhythms)
- Managing tempo changes and double-time feels
- Layering melodic lines over strong rhythmic foundations
- Ensemble cohesion in groove-based contexts