Kastuck Percussion Studio, Inc.

?gHieroglyphics?h is scored for nine players, four performing on mallet percussion (bells/chimes, xylophone, vibraphone and marimba) and four playing hand instruments (including whip, cabasa, claves and agogo bells), plus snare and bass drums, gong, timbales and two toms. The ninth player is responsible for an active timpani part that functions as the bass line. Following an introduction featuring melodic material from which the theme is drawn, forte chords establish the key of B-flat minor, and an ostinato in the bells begins. Agogo bells and timbales contribute a Latin-flavored accompaniment as the theme is stated in the vibes and marimba.

A new section heralds a key shift to B minor, and an ostinato, now in the vibraphone, supports a bells/xylophone melody. The beginning of the theme is presented in augmentation in the next section, which also features a new key (C-sharp minor), and a choralelike setting using rolled chords (three-note chords are written for vibraphone and marimba). The following section repeats the rolled chords, embellished with obligato passagework on bells and an energetic snare drum accompaniment in D minor. The closing section reiterates the theme with Latin-flavored accompaniment; vibes and marimba play a repetitive series of threenote chords as the work builds to a dynamic finish. West mixes simple diatonic harmonies, ostinato patterns, abrupt and frequent changes of key, Latin flavored rhythms in the percussion parts and, to convey an exotic, oriental flavor, a device that has become something of a cliche?L, a melodic line that features the interval of the augmented second.

At times, these ingredients do not seem particularly compatible?\e.g. the oriental melody and Latin rhythms. However, a high school ensemble playing the work will probably be more interested in other aspects of the piece, such as its engaging mallet writing, interesting percussion parts, and flashy writing for timpani, agogo bells and timbales.

- John R. Raush Percussive Notes Dec 2004

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES - 11 OR MORE PLAYERS
HIEROGLYPHICS by Neil West Grade 5	$40.00
This grade 5 ensemble for thirteen(13) to fourteen(14) players requires: bells/chimes, vibes, marimba, xylophone, bass drum, snare drum, gong, tambourine, whip, suspended cymbal, claves, wind chimes, crash cymbals, timpani, agogo bells, triangle, congas, timbales and two(2) tom-toms. ?gHieroglyphics?h is meant to free the imagination; take it to an otherworldly place, a place of epic battles and glorious adventure many centuries ago. The ancients passed on their stories to us through the paintings on cave walls, in ancient tombs and temples. It is through this language that we have come to understand humankind?fs past, this time through the power of music. This work for a percussion ensemble of 11+ players (the more doubling the better!) contains parts designed for both the amateur (parts for triangle, tambourine and cabasa) as well as more experienced percussionists (timpani and keyboard percussion) to accommodate the varied skill level among players within the typical percussion ensemble. The timpanist is required to make several quick tuning changes, the keyboard parts have several key changes and ?gexotic?h scales to explore, and the unpitched percussion parts require keen attention to rhythm and dynamics. Included in the New York State NYSSMA Manuel.
?gHieroglyphics?h is scored for nine players, four performing on mallet percussion (bells/chimes, xylophone, vibraphone and marimba) and four playing hand instruments (including whip, cabasa, claves and agogo bells), plus snare and bass drums, gong, timbales and two toms. The ninth player is responsible for an active timpani part that functions as the bass line. Following an introduction featuring melodic material from which the theme is drawn, forte chords establish the key of B-flat minor, and an ostinato in the bells begins. Agogo bells and timbales contribute a Latin-flavored accompaniment as the theme is stated in the vibes and marimba. A new section heralds a key shift to B minor, and an ostinato, now in the vibraphone, supports a bells/xylophone melody. The beginning of the theme is presented in augmentation in the next section, which also features a new key (C-sharp minor), and a choralelike setting using rolled chords (three-note chords are written for vibraphone and marimba). The following section repeats the rolled chords, embellished with obligato passagework on bells and an energetic snare drum accompaniment in D minor. The closing section reiterates the theme with Latin-flavored accompaniment; vibes and marimba play a repetitive series of threenote chords as the work builds to a dynamic finish. West mixes simple diatonic harmonies, ostinato patterns, abrupt and frequent changes of key, Latin flavored rhythms in the percussion parts and, to convey an exotic, oriental flavor, a device that has become something of a cliche?L, a melodic line that features the interval of the augmented second. At times, these ingredients do not seem particularly compatible?\e.g. the oriental melody and Latin rhythms. However, a high school ensemble playing the work will probably be more interested in other aspects of the piece, such as its engaging mallet writing, interesting percussion parts, and flashy writing for timpani, agogo bells and timbales. - John R. Raush Percussive Notes Dec 2004
*Ritual No. 2 by Steve Kastuck -* Grade 3**	$24.00
The instrumentation for this work written for eight(8) to sixteen(16) players, consists of snare, bass drum, maracas, twp(2) roto-toms(or three (3) toms) quiro, two (2) suspended cymbals, claves, tambourine, temple blocks, three (3) timpani and mallet percussion. The mallet part can be played on any instrument. The mallet and timpani parts are simple yet effective. A second set of parts is included along with the preferred order of doubling. This is a very enjoyable work. The subtitle for this work "TRIBAL NIGHT MOVEMENTS" says it all. NOTE: This piece is listed in the INDIANA Music Selection List, the NORTH DAKOTA Selected Music List, the PENNSYLVANIA Selected Music List, the VIRGINIA VBODA Music Selection List and is eligible for the RHODE ISLAND Solo and Ensemble Festival.
"Ritual No. 2" by Steve Kastuck, presumably the sequel to his "Ritual No. 1," is scored for eight to sixteen players. There are eight separate parts, any or all of which may be doubled as needed. Required instruments include vibes, temple blocks, snare drum, maracas, bass drum, two suspended cymbals, three Roto-toms, tambourine, guiro, three timpani and claves. This piece is essentially a rondo form. As the name implies, it consists mostly of repetitious ritualistic drum patterns. The A section is in 2/4 and is relatively soft. The vibe melody is a two-measure pattern repeated several times with only a slight variation. The texture changes and the tempo slows in the second section as the temple blocks and claves echo each other with a rhythmically identical four-measure pattern. After an accelerando and return of the A section, the meter changes to 6/8 and a new section begins. There is again much repetition and a gradual accelerando. The piece concludes with a meter change back to 2/4 and a final return of the A section, ending abruptly on count two. This would make a good percussion-ensemble concert finale. The flexibility in number of players makes it adaptable to many situations. If rhythmic accuracy and dynamic balance are carefully observed, this will be an effective piece." - Review originally published: April 1998 PERCUSSIVE NOTES MAGAZINE
"Thanks for sending us your new Ritual No. 2. We started on it last week. I like the brushes on the bass drum. I want to play both of your Rituals at the PAS Percussion Ensemble Festival in March......." - Walter Schneider, Tenafly, New Jersey
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