Marimba Heritage is an original composition that honors the history of solo marimba literature. Motives from many well-known-marimba solos are woven into this new composition. While I considered numerous marimba works as I prepared to compose, the list below represents the marimba solos that inspired this music. All of these benchmark works were pivotal in guiding the pedagogical/artistic path of solo marimba literature.

Marimba Heritage was commissioned by Dr. Brett Dietz and the Louisiana State University Percussion Ensemble and
premiered at LSU on March 29, 2009. The work features the power and energy of marimba music that has inspired thousands of percussionists for more than 60 years.

Marimba Solos That Inspired Marimba Heritage

(In alphabetical order by composer. All works used with permission.)

• Keiko Abe Dream of the Cherry Blossoms (1984) Musikverlag Zimmerman
• Michael Burritt October Night (1986) Ludwig Music
• Paul Creston Concertino for Marimba (1940) G. Schirmer Inc.
• Christopher Deane Etude for a Quiet Hall (1982) Innovative Percussion Inc.
• Mark Ford Polaris (1995) Musicon Publications
• Mark Ford Stubernic (1988) Musicon Publications
• Earl Hatch Furioso and Valse (1954) Studio 4 Productions
• Raymond Helble Grand Fantasy (1977) Studio 4 Productions
• David Maslanka Variations on Lost Love (1977) Marimba Productions
• Clair Omar Musser Etude in B Major, Op. 6, No. 9 (1948) Studio 4 Productions
• Clair Omar Musser Etude in C Major, Op. 6 No. 10 (1948) Studio 4 Productions
• Mitchell Peters Sonata-Allegro (1968) Mitchell Peters Publications
• Mitchell Peters Yellow After the Rain (1971) Mitchell Peters Publications
• Joseph Schwanter Velocities (1990) Schott Helicon Music
• Paul Smadbeck Rhythm Song (1982) Studio 4 Productions
• Gordon Stout Mexican Dances (1974) Studio 4 Productions
• Toshimitsu Tanaka Two Movements for Marimba (1968) Ongaku No Tomo
• Andrew Thomas Merlin (1985) Associated Music Publishers