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 98020
Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.
Invoices for institutional purchasers will be provided.
NEW (June, 2011):
| "It's Mine (and You Can't Have It)" | $50 | Difficulty ttttt+ | DEMO (MIDI-generated) NIU playing it live |
This
tune was composed for the album “CounterMelodies,”
released in 2002. This arrangement is a very literal transcription of
the original version of the tune, with the
exception of the variation section, which takes the place of the
improvised tenor pan solo in the original version. This piece
is a bit unusual in that the “head” of the tune is
actually more complex than the variation section. A wonderful showcase
for your extra-talented frontline players, and a strong, exciting
finale to any program.
Full score Tenor pans (low C# up to high Eb) Double tenor (can be played on double seconds) Double seconds Triple guitars/cellos (up to high C) Tenor bass (optional) 6 Bass Engine room (drum set + 2 or 3 players) |
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NEW (August, 2010):
| "In the Shadows of the Forest" (45-minute suite for steel band and choir) | Price
varies depending on order quantity (see info page) |
Difficulty tttt | |
Existing catalogue:
| "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 "Individuals involved in the steel pan art form have, almost since the beginning of the pan's modern era in the late 1940's, been concerned with elevating the instrument's stature to that of a viable instrument capable of holding its own in the pantheon of Western music. ...Gibson's 'Caprice' might be seen as a fresh approach, in that it treats the steel pan as merely another color in the spectrum of the orchestral sound." - Chris Tanner, Percussive Notes Magazine |
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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 "You've never heard 'Amazing Grace' like this before. This unique arrangement will serve as a dramatic contrast and potentially open the ears of the listening audience to the vast expressive potential of the steel drum ensemble timbre. This 2008 arrangement is timeless in its possibilities for programming – either in an academic or liturgical setting." - Jim Lambert, Percussive Notes Magazine |
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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) "Indeed, the chart is stylistically spot-on, with characteristic rhythmic patterns in the bass and chording voices, and a driving melody. ...the real meat...lies in the chord progression. Gibson's background as a jazz vibraphonist is evident here: only an accomplished jazz musician could devise these changes, which stray far from the typical ii_V patterns common to the cha-cha style. This is a solid chart, appropriate for advanced-level ensembles..." - Chris Tanner, Percussive notes Magazine |
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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) "With this publication, steel bands have a way to not only showcase a talented soloist from their ranks, but also to educate their audiences regarding a wonderful steelband tradition: the "bomb" tune." - Chris Tanner, Percussive Notes Magazine |
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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) "If you are looking for an original, non-calypso pan ensemble composition to contract your steel drum repertoire, 'Mom & Pop' will fit the need.. Overall, this unique steel drum composition, which might be categorized as 'cool jazz for pans,' will serve delightfully as a lively, peacefully smooth contrast to traditional literature for an intermediate-level steel drum ensemble." - Jim Lambert, Percussive Notes Magazine |
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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 "Giibson creates interest by incorporating harmonic contrast between the different sections of the piece. The chart also carries the Gibson stamp of detail: roll indications are compositionally appropriate and clearly indicated, layout of the charts is well organized, the appearance is crisp and professional. This composition is driving and fun, and appropriate for medium-level steel bands." - Chris Tanner, Percussive Notes magazine |
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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 "What a great piece to start a steel band concert! This work has a rich, jazzy harmony and contains elements of indigenous Trinidadian rhythms such as a syncopated melody and rhythmic punches that oscillate between melodic riffs and strums in trye 'Trini' style." - Jeannine Remy, Percussive Notes Magazine |
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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.
