These arrangements, with some exceptions, are generally geared towards advanced high school steelband programs and higher. Nowhere near the length and difficulty of a Trinidad Panorama arrangement, they still provide some type of thematic variation, either through written-out thematic development (such as a variation chorus), or by featuring especially talented soloists within your group, and more activity in the lower pans. Most have a fairly equal distribution of difficulty throughout the band. The difficulty ratings shown are on a scale from 1 to 5 ttttt.
Each arrangement comes with a full score (containing detailed performance notes for the director) and a full set of parts (including an optional tenor bass part), professionally engraved and printed on good quality paper, and in a labeled folder ready for filing in your library.
For each arrangement listed, there is a MIDI-generated audio-clip demo of the tune (Javascript required), along with a difficulty rating and helpful notes about the arrangements' special challenges or requirements.
PURCHASING:
I can accept credit card payments through PayPal. Simply click on the "Add to Cart" button for each arrangement that you are interested in. Transactions are secure.
To pay by check or money order, please simply send me an email. Payment by check may be sent to:
Two Trees Music
P.O. Box 1222
Edmonds, WA 98026
Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.
Invoices for institutional purchasers will be provided.
COMING SOON:
| "In the Shadows of the Forest" (45-minute suite for steel band and choir) | Price varies depending on order quantity (see below) |
Difficulty tttt | Computer-generated demo coming soon |
Commissioned
by Mike Mizma and the San Jacinto Community College Central Steel Band,
this nine-movement work, based on the folklore of Trinidad, will have
its premier in Houston in March, 2010. A variety of musical styles,
including classical, soca, samba, calypso, ska, cha cha, and odd meter
are used, and the choir is stylistically challenged to be at times
classical, gospel, or jazz. A well-rounded, full 45-minute program for
this unique, but highly programmable combination.
With the addition of the rehearsal piano part for the choir and a choral conductor's score, a special notation package has been assembled to allow independent rehearsal of the steel band and choir parts. The entire package is printed on heavy letter-size paper with pre-punched holes for your three-ring binders (not provided). The parts included are: Full score (2) SATB Choir (number of copies to your order) Choral Conductor (1) Rehearsal piano (1) Tenor pans (6) Double seconds I (double tenor) (3) Double seconds II (3) Guitar/Cello pan (4) Bass pan (2) Percussion 1 (1) (shekere, light shaker, tam tam, susp. cym., iron [brake drum], tambourine, pandeiro) Percussion 2 (1) (congas, glockenspiel, lg. shaker, susp. cym., surdo) Drumset (1) This work should be ready for publication by late spring or summer 2010. Please check back. Some individual movements may be made available for separate purchase. |
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Available NOW:
| "Caprice" (for steel pan ensemble and orchestra) | $120 | Difficulty ttttt | DEMO (excerpts) |
First Prize
winner in the 2008 "Symphony and Steel" competition (overture
category), this
six-and-a-half minute tonal
contemporary work imbeds the steel pan ensemble into the orchestra
resulting in fresh new orchestral colors. Subtitled "a curious
preoccupation with three short themes," the thematic development takes
the listener through a varied landscape via tempo changes and textural
variation. The above demo is an edited version of the MIDI playback
using sampled orchestral sounds.
Full score Tenor pan 1 (may be doubled) Tenor pan 2 (may be doubled) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar pan Cello pan Tenor bass pan (required) Bass pan 2 flutes 2 oboes 2 clarinets 2 bassoons 2 french horns 2 trumpets 2 trombones Tuba Timapni 2 percussion Volins 1 & 2 Violas Cellos Contrabass See sample page from score |
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| "Rainorama" (for steel pan ensemble and orchestra) | $120 | Difficulty ttttt | DEMO (excerpts) |
First Prize
winner in the 2008 "Symphony and Steel" competition (calypso category).
Lord
Kitchener's classic "Raniorama," scored for full orchestra and steel
pan ensemble (8 - 10 players). This arrangement is roughly seven
minutes
long, and loosely follows the Panorama steelband arranging formula.
The pan enesmble is at times featured, but is often
integrated
into the overall orchestral palette to create a well-balanced,
interesting arrangement that will engage the players and audience
alike. The
above demo is an edited version of the MIDI playback using sampled
orchestral sounds.
Full score Tenor pan 1 (can be doubled) Tenor pan 2 (can be doubled) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar pan Cello pan Tenor bass pan (optional) Bass pan 2 flutes 2 oboes 2 clarinets 2 bassoons 2 french horns 2 trumpets 2 trombones Tuba Timapni 2 percussion (drumset, iron/cowbell) Volins 1 & 2 Violas Cellos Contrabass See sample page from score |
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| Amazing Grace | $40 | Difficulty ttt | DEMO |
This
soulful, choral-style arrangement centers around the tenor pan solo,
piano accompaniment, and thinly arranged middle-voice pans as
originally recorded on "Yahboy!"
(the demo is an excerpt of the original recording, not of the full
steelband arrangement). This versatile arrangement can be played as a
duet with tenor pan and piano, or as originally recorded, or with full
steelband. Especially well-suited for smaller groups. Needs a strong
tenor
pan soloist and pianist; all other parts are relatively easy. Multiple
keys.
Full score Solo Tenor (lead) Tenor section Double seconds Guitar/cello (optional) Tenor bass (opt.) Bass (optional) Piano |
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| Batty Mamselle | $45 | Difficulty ttt | DEMO |
This
arrangement of Lord Kitchener's tune from the late 1960's is one of the
easier arrangements offered here. It maximizes the
effort-to-reward ratio by including a minimally-altered variation
chorus. A good program closer for lower-to--intermediate level groups.
Key of C.
Full score Tenor (lead) (uses low C) Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room |
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| Cha Cha Mi Mamá | $50 | Difficulty tttt | DEMO |
This arrangement
is fairly easy and fun to play; it relies on featuring at least one improvising
soloist in your group.
An excellent tune for multiple improvisers to "trade eights"
also. Key of F.
Full score Tenor (lead) Double tenor Double second Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room Chord changes for soloists The original version of this song can be heard on "My Two Cents" (Gary Gibson, 2000) |
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| Chippin' on de Drag | $55 | Difficulty ttttt | DEMO 1 DEMO 2 |
This
is a very festive tune which makes a nice finale to a concert program.
It is a very flexible arrangement and can employ either a talented
tenor pan soloist (non-improvising or improvising), or the full written
frontline variation chorus, or
a combination of the two. The demos above are the versions without
soloist (full section) and with
soloist respectively. Key of G.
Full score Solo tenor pan (opt.) Tenor (lead) section Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room The original version of this tune can be heard on "Yahboy!" (Gary Gibson, 2005) |
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| A Little Poem for You | $50 | Difficulty tttt | DEMO |
A great option
for breaking up a concert program with a more mellow calypso feel. Key
of C.
Full score Tenor (uses low C) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room The original version of this tune can be heard on "Yahboy! " (Gary Gibson, 2005) |
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| The Minute Waltz (Part 1 & 2) |
$60 | Difficulty ttttt | DEMO |
This
suite is a real crowd pleaser. Challenging, but a blast to play, so
your players will be highly motivated. Requires a very strong C-tenor pan
soloist. Part 1 is Chopin's original watlz, adapted
for pan, with
the soloist playing the melody and the ensemble covering the "oom pah
pahs." There is a seque into part 2, which is the "bomb" (calypso)
adaptation. Building steadily to the end, this suite can really show
off what your band can do! Key of C.
Full score Solo tenor pan (requires low C) Tenor (lead) section Double tenor Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room The original version of this tune can be heard on "Yahboy! " (Gary Gibson, 2005) |
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| Mom and Pop | $50 | Difficulty tttt | DEMO |
Another good
option for breaking up a concert program with something a little
different. This is a smooth, light, airy piece that will appeal to the
"smooth" jazzers in your audience. Calls for a tenor soloist
(a written
solo is provided as well as chord changes), and both double tenors
and
double seconds (or at least two sets of either) and both
guitar and
cello (or at least two sets of either). Includes piano and vibraphone
parts, as on the original recording (the above demo is excerpted from
the
original). This is an especially nice arrangement for a smaller group.
Key of E minor.
Full score Solo tenor pan Tenor (lead) section Double tenor Double seconds Guitar Cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Vibraphone (opt., but very cool if included!) Piano (opt., but very cool if included!) Percussion Drumset The original version of this song can be heard on "My Two Cents" (Gary Gibson, 2000) |
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| Motor Scooter Monty | $50 | Difficulty ttt | DEMO |
Your band will
have a blast playing this energetic, danceable Ska piece.
An artful repetition of patterns facilitates quick learning of the body
of the piece, and an easy variation and textural change help keep the
arrangement engaging. Fun, active bass lines and even melodic
distribution throughout. Calls for both double tenors
and
double seconds (or at least two sets of either) and both
guitar and
cello (or at least two sets of either). Key of C minor
(also Eb dorian and C mixolydian modes).
Full score Tenor Double tenor Double seconds Guitar Cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Drumset |
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| Pan on de Ground | $50 | Difficulty tttt | DEMO |
An upbeat,
driving calypso tune, with a full chorus of flashy variation. Key of F.
Full score Tenor (lead) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room |
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| Rich and Famous | $50 | Difficulty ttt | DEMO |
This
easy-going pop reggae tune is another great opportunity for varied
programming. Fun, and with just enough challenge to keep intermediate
players on their toes.. Key of
C and Ab.
Full score Tenor (lead) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Opt. electric bass Engine room The original version of this song can be heard on "My Two Cents" (Gary Gibson, 2000) |
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| September Sun | $50 | Difficulty ttttt | DEMO |
This mellow, yet
challenging calypso tune uses rich, moving harmonies and surprising
chordal twists to keep both listeners and
players engaged. There are lots of melodic passages in the cello/guitar
part, and each section has a chance to shine. With a lush, choral-style
rubato intro, the arrangement serves to enhance your concert program
with a variety of energy and complexity.
Full score Tenor (lead) Double tenor Double second Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Engine room The original version of this tune can be heard on "CounterMelodies" (Gary Gibson, 2002) |
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| String Bikini | $50 | Difficulty tttt | DEMO |
Another
great option to break up a concert program, this popular, upbeat, jazzy
bossa nova is flexible, including a cut of the most difficult section
if needed. Key of C.
Full score Tenor (lead) Double tenor Double seconds Guitar/cello Tenor bass (opt.) Bass Drumset The original version of this tune can be heard on "CounterMelodies" (Gary Gibson, 2002) |
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Available through Hillbridge Music:
| My Two Cents | $50 | Difficulty tttt | |
Hilbridge
writes: "From the easygoing 1st theme through the "shout" section, your
players will enjoy the groove as well as the challenges. The melodies
are cool, the harmony likewise. With cuts indicated for short or long
versions, this calypso really rolls along happily from beginning to
end. Looking for something different? You should give this a try."
The original version of this song can be heard on "My Two Cents" (Gary Gibson, 2000) |
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See also "Me Bop (Won't Stop)" in the steel pan solo category.
