Joy To The World

General Info

Arranger: John R. Hearnes
Publisher: Row-Loff Productions
Series: Icesicles!
Duration: 00:03:02

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel & Triangle
Player 2: Vibraphone
Player 3: Xylophone & Chimes & Tambourine
Player 4: Marimba
Player 5: Marimba
Player 6: Timpani & Suspended Cymbal

Performance Notes

This arrangement is a mallet and timpani ensemble written in a “theme and variations” form. After a brief introduction, the theme is played in the marimba 1 part and doubled in the xylophone. The first variation is at Letter B, with the xylophone playing the melody that has been filled in with extra pitches and rhythms. Letter C has the second variation in which the melody is moved to the vibraphone with the rhythmic values doubled and the key modulated to the relative minor. After a short transition at Letter E, the last variation comes at Letter F in a new key and again in half time, this time with the melody played in the vibraphone and Glockenspiel. There are also a few accompaniment parts throughout the piece that explore the inversions of the main melodic material. Balance and blend are important for all instruments. Mallet selection for all players will help with this. Players should pay close attention to who has the melody so the others can work on supporting that line, including those players that double on non-tonal percussion instruments. The timpani player should provide the bass line without overpowering the mallets. More advanced ensembles can begin to work on the unwritten dynamics of the piece by shaping the melodic lines in a musical fashion. The non-tonal percussion parts should also be kept in balance with the tonal instruments. The triangle (mounted optional) should be played with a thin beater hitting on the bottom side as straight on as possible (this produces a sound with more overtones and less of a specific pitch). The tambourine part is marked “secco” which means dry. Hold the tambourine level, place the wrist on the head, and play with the fingertips at the edge over the jingles.