VIBRAPHONE solo

WALKING HOME

"Walking Home" is a contemplative and evocative vibraphone solo that invites the listener to embark on a introspective journey. The composition captures the essence of a solitary walk, weaving a narrative through the delicate and resonant tones of the vibraphone. The piece explores the emotive qualities of the instrument, creating a sonic landscape that reflects the various moods and moments one may experience while strolling homeward.

A BELL IS NOT A BELL

“a bell is not a bell” from the internationally recognized guitarist Ichika arranged for solo vibraphone by Benjamin Holmes. This was arranged and released for free with permission from Ichika. We only ask that you subscribe to our YouTube and Instagram pages in exchange!

UNTIL NEXT TIME

‘Until Next Time’ is a medium/advanced vibraphone solo that is intended to create a sentimental feeling for listeners and performers. The piece requires delicate pedaling, mallet dampening, and careful playing areas on the vibraphone bars.

Publication pending - sheet music is not available at this time.

SNOW GLOBE

Snow Globe is a brand new (2020) vibraphone solo that is inspired by music from wind-up snow globes and music boxes. The performer must combine great left hand technique/dexterity with rhythmic independence to draw out the subtle melody over dense, moving harmonic accompaniment. This piece features a vast array of technical demands for the performer while still offering a memorable melody and musical fulfillment for the performer and audience.

marimba solo

TRISTESSE - CHOPIN ETUDE OP. 10 NO. 3

Frédéric Chopin said of his Étude Op. 10, No. 3 that he "had never in his life written another such beautiful melody."

Benjamin Holmes brings Chopin's beautiful melody to the world of solo marimba with this cleverly formidable arrangement, Tristesse. Meaning "sadness" in French, Tristesse is a title that was given to Chopin's piece by his contemporary critics, using it to describe the piece's overall sense of melancholy. This arrangement provides several challenges to the brave marimbist. For instance, the melody throughout the work is stated in the right hand, along with an accompanying voice in the same hand. The marimbist must make sure that the melody is clearly stated and separate from the accompaniment within the same hand, a skill that is not often demanded of marimbists. There are also a host of recurring quadruple stops that are constantly shifting harmonically, leaving the audience with an unsettling feeling. 

SNARE DRUM SOLO

WHIRL

Whirl is a fun experiment in contemporary snare drum playing. The fidget spinner creates a sustain effect while also acting as an extra “brush” at times. The performer needs to demonstrate great independence by playing polyrhythms with sticks, a brush, and a fidget spinner… There is also a “traditional” snare drum section for the performer to showcase their snare drum chops!

SQUALL

The title “Squall” is in reference to sudden localized storms that bring intense wind, rain, thunder and hail. The snare drum is used to imitate these natural phenomenon and carry the listener through the storm. The “storm” begins suddenly and gradually changes into a peaceful rain. The performer must use rudimental, concert, brush, and extended techniques while carefully blending with the accompaniment.

Special thanks to consortium leader Austin Petty and the following consortium members for commissioning this piece: Andrew Richardson, Abbi McKinney, Carlos Ibarra, Kent Fuller, Alec Kneer, Preston Smith, Hunter Gross, Jordan Shippy, Emily Salgado, Alex Price, Burnnie Moore III.

mallet duo

COMET

"Comet" is a duet for marimba and vibraphone that explores the captivating and mesmerizing qualities of irregular time signatures. The piece is composed in 7/8 time signature, with sections that switch to 6/8 and 5/8 time signatures, creating a thrilling and unpredictable rhythmic landscape.

The title "Comet" refers to the idea of a celestial object that travels through space, leaving behind a trail of shimmering light. The performers aim to evoke this image through the use of shimmering textures and sparkling melodies, creating a sense of movement and momentum.

The piece opens with a pulsing marimba ostinato, which is answered by a vibraphone melody. The two instruments then engage in a rhythmic dialogue, trading off melodies and interlocking rhythms. As the piece progresses, the time signature changes, creating a sense of tension and release.

SATELLITE

Satellite by Benjamin Holmes is an advanced level mallet duo with swirling marimba and vibraphone patterns and colors. Driving triplets throughout the work create a sense of momentum that mimics the rotation of the earth and its orbiting satellites. The triplets are occasionally altered through various metric modulations, representing a satellite's revolution around the planet. Performers’ abilities are challenged through sharp dynamic changes, quick timbre shifts, and interesting color combinations. Satellite is a whirlwind duo that will challenge even the most advanced players and enthrall audiences.

HALL OF MIRRORS

“Hall of Mirrors” is an experimental composition written for vibraphone duo, a greatly under-utilized instrumentation. One part mirrors the other while each performer carries half of the melody and accompaniment. Each performer needs advanced two mallet technique and great finesse in order to achieve a unified sound.

TRADE WINDS

“Trade Winds” is a two-mallet vibraphone duet that spins a single melody into many different musical contexts throughout the piece. The melody is continually traded back and forth from player to player as the piece evolves. "Trade Winds" draws inspiration from the ebb and flow of the natural world. The title refers to the global wind patterns that affect climate and weather, and the piece reflects the unpredictable, ever-changing nature of these winds. The performers use the melody as a point of departure, exploring its many permutations and variations as they navigate the shifting musical terrain.

PERCUSSION DUO

CROSSING

In Crossing, Benjamin Holmes paints a picture of American railroad crossings. With an entirely unpitched instrumentation, the shared Zil-Bel and brake drum at the center of the setup maintain a steady beat, representing the ringing of the crossing bells. The space between these bells is filled with complex rhythms and grooves on two sets of drums, representing the sounds of rail cars in motion, covered in graffiti art.

This advanced multipercussion duet is filled with brilliant textures, focusing largely on hocketed passages between the players. Complex rudimental figures are interspersed with metallic sounds as both players trade phrases and support each other. The resulting sound is one of unity, as though a single entity is controlling the whole setup. Holmes has created a refreshing addition to the multipercussion repertoire, ideal for performance on recitals or contests by a pair of skilled players!

PALM READER

Combining asymmetrical rhythms with an octatonic melody, Benjamin Holmes’ percussion duet Palm Reader is a brilliantly tempestuous piece that features split rhythms and melodies, requiring the performers to know their own part as well as their partner’s.

Each performer has a set of four differently pitched crotales and a snare drum. They also share a djembe, which adds depth to the overall sound of the piece. With all of these instruments combined, the sound of the pieces cover a wide range of tones and timbres, giving it a full sound. This piece would be a great addition to any junior or senior recital, especially for advanced players looking to showcase their ability to split fast, intricate rhythms!

MALLET QUARTET

WOODEN TIMEPIECE

"Wooden Timepiece" is a captivating marimba quartet that explores the concept of time through its rhythmic patterns and musical themes. Designed to be played on two marimbas, the performers are constantly interacting and trading rhythms while exploring different time signatures. Engaging ensemble cohesion, along with recognizable source material from the “Dies Irae” and “Westminster Chimes,” results in a piece that performers and audiences will enjoy!