Wingwalker: Percussion 2
By Erik Morales
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1500_PC2
$7.00
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Description
Take your audience to the brink and back with this edgy and fearless work inspired by high flying acrobats of old time air shows. A tube drum, constructed of 5 pitches, is used as part of an extremely colorful percussion section that highlights the daring feats of these pilots. A powerful work that is certainly not for the faint of heart!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Wingwalker: Percussion 2 comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1500_PC2
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales was born in New York City in 1966 and has spent his career bridging the gap between artistic integrity and pedagogical purpose. With more than 150 published works spanning wind ensembles, orchestral settings, jazz, and chamber music, he has established himself as a composer whose output reaches classrooms and concert halls worldwide. His formal training includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (1989) and studies in composition at Florida International University. Morales began composing professionally in 1985 when his high school band director commissioned him to arrange music for marching band, an opportunity that launched his decades-long engagement with educational music publishing.
As a trumpeter himself, Morales has made a significant mark on the trumpet repertoire; his trumpet ensemble works have earned first place finishes at the National Trumpet Competitions in 2006 and 2008. His Concerto for Trumpet in C and Piano premiered at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference, and a consortium-commissioned Concerto for Two Trumpets followed at the 2013 ITG conference in Grand Rapids. In 2016, he was inducted into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to both classical and jazz music education.
Why we love this
Wingwalker captures the visceral thrill of barnstorming without sacrificing accessibility. The five-pitch tube drum creates genuine color and excitement in the percussion section while remaining manageable at Grade 2.5, and the fearless character of the piece gives students a chance to play music that actually sounds confident and contemporary. This is the kind of work that reminds bands why they chose to play concert music.
What to expect
Wingwalker has the swagger of a vintage air show poster come to life. The music moves with daring energy, the tube drum adding an edgy, almost mechanical shimmer as the band propels forward. It's adventurous and unapologetic, designed to electrify an audience rather than soothe one.
Who it's for
This score is built for Grade 2.5 concert bands with solid fundamentals and enough musicianship to handle colorful percussion writing and contemporary harmonic language. Directors programming festival and contest events will find a piece that stands out without asking for exceptional technical demands; it rewards musicians who commit to character and confidence.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the tube drum cut through the texture. Balance the rest of the ensemble so the five pitches land clearly; this is your primary color element, not background decoration.
- Shape the dynamic arc deliberately. The "brink and back" concept in the description suggests contrasts; avoid sitting at one volume level throughout.
- Maintain rhythmic precision in the fast passages. The daring character depends on crisp articulation and locked ensemble attacks.
- Find the swagger in the melodic lines. This music asks for confidence from your soloists and sections; rehearse with energy even at moderate tempos.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece in a festival or contest set where you want to showcase personality and contemporary writing. It pairs well alongside more lyrical works to demonstrate your ensemble's range, or open a concert with it to grab attention from the first bar.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing colorful percussion writing with band sound
- Sustaining stylistic character and confidence across full rehearsals
- Articulating rhythmic figures with precision at varying tempos
- Reading and executing contemporary harmonic language