Does anyone have any ideas for a showy, fast, & impressive marimba solo (preferably advanced, but not too incredibly difficult)? It's for my school talent show, so I need a piece that will capture the audience (& judges) & will be pleasing to the nonmusician. Suggestions for any size marimba will be appreciated since I own a 5 octave marimba, but suggestions for a 4 1/3 would be preferred since I will only have access to my school's 4 1/3 for the talent show.

Thanks very much!

holy cow, what a list....

Keiko Abe: "Prism" (Low A)
Andrew Thomas: "Merlin" (Low F)
Joseph Schwantner: "Velocities" (Low C)
Nebjosa Jovan Zivkovic: "Fluctus" (Low A)
Paul Creston: "Concertino for Marimba" Mvt. I or III (III is QUICK) (Low A)
Daniel McCarthy: "Razdraz" for Marimba and Alto Sax (Low A)
Michael Burritt: "Four Movements for Marimba" Mvt. II or IV (Low A)
Rich O'Meara: "Restless" (Low A)
C.O. Musser: "Etude in C", "Etude in B", "Etude in A-flat" (Low A)

Some would be better suggestions than others, that's for sure... it all depends on how fast you learn notes. Personally, I'd go with Prism, by Abe.

Best,

CJT

Dang it, I thought I had an original idea when I proposed that I play a marimba solo for my school's talent show next year. What you descrived is exactly what you need: something with a lot of intensity, velocity, and groove. Now if I could only name a piece of that nature and yet simple enough to learn quickly. . .

Rhythmic Jambalaya by Kevin Bobo is intense...but needs chops. Great piece though, lots of fun and groove. Low F.