Mixed Percussion Ensembles

An extensive repertoire of compositions for seemingly endless combinations of definite- and indefinite-pitch percussion instruments has been created since the early twentieth century. No standard combinations have emerged; instead, composers appear to feel free to draw upon an eclectic array of instruments and to group them in new combinations for each new composition. Thirty instruments from the battery of standard and auxiliary instruments of the orchestra and band–supplemented by a few Latin American percussion instruments–are pictured below. Space permitting, others could have been included. In addition to the instruments found on this page, individual mixed percussion pieces might call for instruments of African or Asian origins or ad hoc instruments such as pipes, trashcans, or water-tuned drinking glasses. The instrumentation requirements for the four excerpted mixed percussion works included here are enumerated in the following chart; this small sampling of works can only hint at the immense variety of timbral combinations composers have explored under the rubric of mixed percussion ensemble music.

Percussion ensemble music is heard most often in the context of tertiary educational institutions (conservatories, schools of music, and music departments) and in public school music programs were it is drawn upon for solo and ensemble competitions. Professional percussion ensembles exist, either as offshoots of symphony orchestras or as independently organized groups, and a few of these attain international notoriety through recording releases and concertizing.

Bibliography:

Blades, James. 1970. Percussion Instruments and their History. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, Publishers.

Holland, James, and Janet K. Page. “Percussion,” in Grove Music Online. Accessed December 7 2014: http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.grinnell.idm.oclc.org/subscriber/article/grove/music/21291?q=percussion&search=quick&source=omo_gmo&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit

(by Roger Vetter)

timpani

drum - snare

drum - bass

tom-tom - concert

cymbals - crash

suspended cymbal

hi-hat cymbals

tam-tam

marimba

xylophone

vibraphone

glockenspiel

celesta

crotales

chimes

triangle

tambourine

woodblock

cymbals - antique

temple blocks

castanets

maracas

whip

ratchet

sleigh bells

sandpaper block

bar chimes

bell tree

jingle ring

slide whistle

brake drum