Todd Hammes is a prolific composer of works for solo percussion, percussion ensemble and chamber ensemble. In 2005, in recognition of his compositional and performing excellence, Todd was awarded the prestigious McKnight Fellowship from the American Composer’s forum.

His pieces have been performed for enthralled audiences across America, and receive the intense focus of the performing ensembles with which Todd appears. Many of these pieces have been commissioned by dance companies or other performing arts organizations.

Many of these selections are available for sale as sheet music directly from Todd, who is the publisher of all his music. Contact Todd at tmhammes@aol.com, or at (520) 886-9187.

Speedway Boulevard: Tucson
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Trio: bass clarinet; vibraphone and percussion; marimba and percussion

Todd: Speedway Blvd. is the main east-to-west drag in. At both ends, Speedway terminates in the pristine Sonoran Desert, while the middle traverses the heart of the city. In this composition, the ends are in the city and the middle is in the desert. Tthe outer sections are bustling, kinetic, fast-flowing…while the middle section is sparse and sublime. I envisioned this middle section to depict the sun’s preparing to rise over the Sonoran desert.

Eh Wa Ba Wa Jo
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Marimba solo with optional African percussion accompaniment (includes bell and shaker parts)

Todd: This is a contemporary setting of a traditional Nigerian welcoming song, “Welcome to the Dance”, and an example of the Yoruba counterpart to America’s Negro spirituals or Gospel Songs. I perform Eh Wa Ba Wa Jo frequently as a marimba solo, but with the addition of bell, shaker and drums, it takes on more of the spirit of an African drumming/dancing celebration – an invitation to join in the dance celebration of all creation. It’s a rousing opener for many of the performances of my Tool and Drum Ensemble – a real crowd pleaser!

Marimba, Pan and Tabla
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Percussion trio: Low A marimba, steel drum (middle c to c2), and solo tabla (C and C#) or large frame drum.

Todd: This is a piece that allows for virtuosic soloing by the drummer. It presents a sedate, almost numbingly slow Barber-like chorale on the part of the marimba and steel drum, while the drums overlay that background with intricate, lightening-speed passages. For the tabla/frame drum soloist, it’s a showcase piece.

Around the Sahara
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Multi-percussion duo: two players performing on multiple percussion setups, using the same setup as Dave Hollinden’s “Surface Tension”

Todd: Performing Dave Hollinden’s “Surface Tension” requires a major multiple percussion setup. So, I’ve composed a series of encore pieces written for the “Surface Tension” instrument. “Around the Sahara” is a short, lighthearted romp with a Beladi beat, a Middle Eastern groove that gives each player a chance to show off, both individually and in unison. This piece is all about fun…and I expect you’ll have as much fun playing it as I do!

My Hunter of Dragonflies
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Multi-percussion solo: woods and metallics

Todd: This piece, one of my favorites to perform, is based on a haiku by Japan’s greatest female poet, Chiyo-Ni, who lived in the eighteenth century.

My hunter of dragonflies
How far would he have strayed today?

The music is a direct mirror of the text. The first line is playful and grounded, and the second is ethereal and wanting. In performance, this piece almost always causes a hush to fall over the audience.

Tucson Masala
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A “global percussion ensemble” for nine players

Todd: This piece was written for my first CD, “Thoughts”. The music is simple, with each player getting to perform a “groove” part when they can embellish as they see fit. The instrumentation is flexible. To me, Tucson Masala is a freewheeling romp through an eclectic landscape, a depiction of the style and energy of our unique little city in the Sonoran desert.

Wall: A Percussion Trio
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Multi-percussion trio: instruments include kalimba, glockenspiel, marimba, steel drum and many other percussion instruments

Todd: In 1993, I composed this piece in six movements to accompany pre-existing choreography by Sue Shroder of Atlanta’s Several Dancers Core. In it, the musical energy is derived from a metaphorical wall, an obstacle to be explored from many different angles. It provides many musical and technical challenge to the players, as well as an emotional and intellectual challenge..

“…exotic and mystifying.”
The Atlanta Constitution

Inconsistencies
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Percussion Ensemble: 8 players

Inconsistencies explores the polly-metric aspects of 12/8 as well as a more subtle and spacial environment. It’s final section is very high energy and high volume. This piece is appropriate for advanced High School and College level ensembles. It’s difficulties lie in mainly in “ensemble” playing rather than “part” playing.

Instruments include marimba, vibe, large bass drum, floor tom, tom toms, break drums, metal pipes, cymbals, cow bell, finger cymbals and snare drum. This piece was written for a very good High School percussion ensemble in 1993, the Canyon Del Oro High School in Tucson Arizona.

Prelude to Sunrise
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Duet: Flute (or Cedar Flute) and Frame Drum

This is a beautiful and contemplative piece that tries to capture the mood of the Sonoran Desert in the moments before the sun peaks up over the mountains. The flute part is light and relaxed as the frame drum plays sound and rhythms the scurry and stay.

A Mood: Piano, Alto Saxophone, Percussion
A Mood: Piano, Xylophone, Percussion
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Trio: Piano, Alto Sax or Xylophone, and Percussion

This piece is the result of a very bad mood. It’s a sort of musical temper tantrum, very aggressive, very distorted and very fun to play. The xylo and sax part requires a good player who is not afraid to play make some intentionally bad sounds. The piano and percussion parts are to be played with reckless abandon. Some notes and instruments will literally hit the floor. Less than three minutes long, this piece is a great show stopper or encore.

Soon to be released:

March of the Toys (not yet for sale)
Parade of the Toy Soldiers (not yet for sale)

Mallet quartet: xylophone, vibraphone, and low A marimba shared by two players

Todd: I composed both these happy pieces for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Quartet to use on their “just for Kids” concerts. They’re short – less than two minutes each – and are great for opening a show for young people.

Percussion (Toy) Land (not yet for sale)

Percussion quartet: Low A marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, snare drum and toys

Todd: I composed this for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s “Just for Kids” concert series. The TSO Percussion Quartet ended up performing it on their “serious” concerts, because adults fell in love with it, too! It’s a ten-minute piece that moves through several variations and abstractions on the well-known Victor Herbert song, “Toy Land”. The piece moves from a minimalist introduction to an interwoven xylophone/melodica section…then, chaos!, as the theme is battered by a free-for-all of orchestral quotes. Soon, there’s a hysterical xylophone rag, and a battle royale between slide whistle and sound effects. Finally, the xylophone leads us through a frantic drive to the end. Whew!

Bartok’s Ten Easy Pieces for Piano (not yet for sale)
arranged for percussion trio

Percussion trio: marimba, vibraphone, crotales, xylophone, frame drum, and varied smaller instruments

Todd: In this work, I’ve created a series of pieces that work beautifully in any concert setting…or they can be treated as a set of Etudes for Percussion Trio. They provide many musical challenges to student players, and are a great way to help young percussionists wake up to the compositional genius of Bela Bartok.

Beginning Pieces for Percussion Ensemble (not yet for sale)
Varied percussion ensemble

Todd: This is a collection of entry-level pieces that I’ve composed over the last ten years. They’re wonderful tools for percussion educators to use to introduce their students to ensemble playing, while providing the musical gratification that both teachers and young students are seeking.