Mikayla – for euphonium and marimba

Description

Mikayla (for euphonium and marimba) originally existed as a jazz chart for vibraphone and marimba.  After listening to a recording of my friend Kayla Berndt and I playing the work in a “head-solos-head” structure, I knew it had potential to turn into something more.  I then transcribed parts of the solos and worked with wonderful friend and excellent musician, Steven Darling (euphonium), in altering the part to make the vibraphone solo lines more idiomatic for brass.   A lyrical section was also inspired during this particular arrangement of the piece, showing the beauty of the euphonium’s tone, the ambience of marimba rolls and the change of mood before the main theme’s restatement.

There are many differences between the original composition/solos and the current work/transcriptions, but the ending product is a notated part for both players that also provides chords over which to improvise.  The players may play exactly what is written or use the chords to experiment with improvisation.  The marimba accompaniment part is even labeled “ad lib.” to indicate that manipulation of the groove is encouraged.  Composed in a jazz/classical style and an improvisatory fashion, Mikayla: for euphonium and marimba opens areas of playing that are not commonly explored on euphonium and marimba.