ROBERT CLAYSON PERCUSSION
SOLOS
Accessible Solo Repertoire for Percussion
2019, Various Instruments
Accessible Solo Repertoire for Percussion contains fourteen newly composed solos for Snare Drum, Glockenspiel (Bells), Xylophone, and Four Mallet Marimba. These solos are a much-needed addition to the young percussionist’s repertoire. They are perfect for use at an adjudicated solo festival or recital.
Accessible Solo Repertoire for Percussion is published by Excelcia Music Publishing.
Adventure!
2020, Marimba Solo
Adventure is an intermediate solo marimba piece about adventuring in an unknown landscape.
Character Studies
2020, Marimba Solo
Character Studies is a collection of three individual pieces that I composed during the spring of 2020.
Piece No. 1 Prelude: Aggressively Happy
Piece No. 2 Aria: Amidst the Anguish
Piece No. 3 Fantasy: Soar!
Character Studies is published by C-Alan Publications.
Dance of the Music Box Figurines
Written for a 4.3 octave marimba, Dance of the Music Box Figurines is a musical portrayal of a ballerina dancing to a tune played by an old music box.
Dance of the Music Box Figurines is published by C-Alan Publications.
2018, Marimba Solo
Final Thoughts
2018, Marimba Solo
Final Thoughts was completed in 2018 and was commissioned by my former teacher, Adam Blackstock. The inspiration for this piece comes from Dylan Thomas’s poem, “Do Not Go Gentle.”
First Steps for Solo Marimba
2020, Marimba Solo Collection
The more time I spend teaching four mallet marimba, the more I realize that there is a massive gap in contemporary marimba repertoire aimed at beginner level players. There certainly are a lot of beginning level pieces, but far fewer pieces are designed to help players who have just learned to hold four mallets transition from technique exercises to actual music. Far too often, I see beginner students become too ambitious in their choices in repertoire when they first start out. This often leads to the student becoming overly frustrated and more likely to give up altogether. I wrote the First Steps to help solve this specific problem.
From the Shores of Paradise
From the Shores of Paradise was completed in May of 2019 as a vibraphone solo for me to be able to play at various middle and high schools throughout the country. As the title implies, this piece is about finding and existing in one’s own personal “happy place.”
2019, Vibraphone Solo
In the Stillness Beneath the Trees
2020, Marimba Solo
In the Stillness Beneath the Trees was completed in the spring of 2020. The inspiration for this piece came from me watching the trees outside my house sway back and forth with the wind. There is a quiet calm about watching trees sway back and forth and then eventually come to a stop in a gentle breeze. It can be almost hypnotizing. While watching, you really can tune out the world’s distractions and lose yourself in the moment. Nothing seems complicated anymore, and everything in the world seems to be at peace.
In the Stillness Beneath the Trees is published by Tapspace Publications.
In Spite of it All (Ellie's Lullaby)
2020, Marimba Solo
In Spite of it All was written in 2020, right around the time my wife and I adopted a new kitten who was living under our porch.
In Spite of it All is published by C-Alan Publications.
Last Chances
2021, Marimba Solo
Last Chances is a medium-advanced marimba solo about watching the destruction of something beautiful while no one seems to care. The piece starts out relatively pretty and peaceful but goes downhill quickly from there. This piece is the perfect opportunity for medium-advanced players to showcase their musicality and lyrical expression.
Little Song
2020, Marimba Solo
Little Song is an intermediate to advanced solo for 4.3 octave marimba. Though it does not ask much of the performer in terms of advanced technical skill, it is rich in opportunities for deep lyrical expression.
Little Song is published by C-Alan Publications.
Marimba Miniatures
2018, Marimba Solo Collection
The more time I spend around beginning marimba players, the more I realize that the contemporary solo marimba repertoire has very little to offer in the way of pieces for players who have just learned to put
two sticks in one hand. Marimba Miniatures is my solution to this problem. The pieces in this collection are very short and often centered around a single musical idea, making them incredibly easy
to learn.
Marimba Miniatures is published by Row-Loff Productions.
Memories
2016, Marimba Solo Collection
Memories holds a special place in my heart because it was my first-ever composition for marimba. Three contrasting movements make up this piece, each representing a different memory from my life. Each movement creates a unique melodic mood, including unease and discomfort, loss and sorrow, and joy and playfulness.
Musings at the Coffee Shop
2019, Snare Drum Solo
Musings at the Coffee Shop was commissioned by former Troy University Student Aaron Ward for his Senior Recital. It is my fun little jab at the "instant musician--just add coffee" joke that seems to go around at most collegiate music schools.
Nocturne for Lost Souls
2019, Marimba Solo
Nocturne for Lost Souls is my musical portrayal of the Christian parable of the rich man and the beggar. A medium-advanced solo for 5.0 octave marimba, its technical challenges include the use of right hand octave, the use of an odd meter (7/16), rolls, and multiple time changes.
Nocturne for Lost Souls is published by C-Alan Publications.
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass
2020, Marimba Solo
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass is a piece for solo 4.3 octave marimba that was completed in March of 2020. This piece is meant to depict a person’s life moving incredibly quickly while the person living it doesn’t seem to notice.
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass is published by Tapspace Publications.
Sepulchral Reflections
2021, Marimba Solo
Sepulchral Reflections is a piece for solo marimba that is my approximation of a person's last moments on earth. The piece was commissioned by Drew Neal.
Suspended Dreams
2021, Marimba Solo
Suspended Dreams is another marimba solo that was completed during the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. It is my musical portrayal of how life seemed to pause as things began to shut down.
Tall Tales
2019, Marimba Solo Collection
Tall Tales is a collection of eight short pieces that gives novice marimba players opportunities to practice fundamental techniques and musical expression as they grow into intermediate players. By learning the pieces in this collection, players will develop several fundamental musical skills, including basic stroke types, different permutations, dynamic range, and lyrical expression.
Each piece, or “tale,” in the collection, like a literary story, revolves around a unique main idea or theme, giving players a new challenge with each piece they learn. From the rich, powerful chorales of “Unexpected Turns” to the rushing, arpeggiated accents of “High Tide,” each piece presents students a new way to grow as musicians.
Tall Tales is published by C-Alan Publications.
The Chase
2021, Marimba Solo
The Chase is my musical portrayal of every cheesy action movie fight and chase scene. You know the kind.
The Chase is published by Wildlight Publications.
The Mourning at Fort Polk
2020, Marimba Solo
The Mourning at Fort Polk is dedicated to all of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. May your service and many sacrifices never be forgotten. This piece is written with a 5.0-octave feel for a 4.3-octave marimba as a reminder that some things are bigger than ourselves.
The Mourning at Fort Polk is published by C-Alan Publications.
Star Light Meadow
2019, Marimba Solo
Star Light Meadow is an intermediate solo for 5.0 octave marimba. It is a musical depiction of the night sky at my maternal grandparents’ house. Because it is, as we say in the South, “way out in the sticks,” on a cloudless night, their house is privy to the most brilliant splash of stars I have ever seen. Star Light Meadow is a great choice for any jury or recital program!
Star Light Meadow is published by Studio 4 Music.
Whispers in the Wind
2016, Marimba Solo
Whispers in the Wind is a short, intermediate work for 5.0 octave marimba. The piece is powerfully evocative and presents unique technical challenges for intermediate to advanced students. These challenges make this piece a joy for students to learn, and its impressionistic tranquility makes it a joy for audiences to listen to as well.