The instrumentation for this work for eight (8) players includes bells, xylophone, wood blocks/claves, two (2) toms, bongo/conga, cow bell, suspended cymbal, and two (2) timpani. It exhibits the merits of a carefully written composition and sets an excellent standard for percussion ensemble literature. This publication would be excellent literature for small ensemble festivals or contests.

NOTE: This piece is listed in 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. Listed in the New York State NYSSMA Manual.

"Caribbean Sea’ is a fun percussion Octet… As might be expected, the piece is centered on a fairly simple Caribbean melody played in harmony on the keyboard instruments with the timpani providing a tonic/dominant bass line. The non-pitched instruments do more than play a repetitive background. They are featured in a contrasting middle section of the piece, with everyone getting a chance to shine… Because of their repetition, the keyboard parts would be excellent for inexperienced mallet players. This would be a good vehicle for teaching syncopation.
Any high school or strong middle school percussion ensemble will enjoy performing this piece."
Tom Morgan - Percussive Notes - December 2002

The instrumentation for this work for eight (8) players includes bells, xylophone, snare and bass drum, cow bell, bongos, quiro, and two (2) timpani. Russellís LATIN SPICE is an attractive ensemble selection for high school students or younger college groups. All of the mallet parts can be played with two (2) mallets and would be accessible to young percussionists with keyboard experience. Russell uses standard band percussion instruments, keeps all the parts interesting and tailored to the technical abilities of younger players. He writes literature that is musically effective and--most important of all--fun to play. The piece has everything a band director or percussion instructor could want in a flashy concert percussion feature.

NOTE: This piece is listed in 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. Listed in the Maryland Band Directors Association Music List 2006.

"Great piece for my MS students! "
- Greg Holloway, Percussion Director at Flint Hill School.   VA

Instrumentation: Bells, Xylo, Chimes, Snare, Bass, two Timpani, Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle and Temple Blocks. This enjoyable collection of holiday classics contains "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (eight players), "Ukrainian Carol" (eight Players), and "Toyland" (seven players). These three tunes are beautifully arranged for the instrumentation commonly in the middle school or junior high school setting. Everyone will appreciate the holiday spirit after hearing these ensembles. Grades 2-3.

"For high school or middle school band directors looking to spice up their annual holiday concert, John Russell's second installment of Favorite Holiday Carols will fit the bill. These yuletide tunes, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Ukrainian Bell Carol" and "Toyland" are arranged for a seven or eight member percussion ensemble. Russell scores these tunes for instruments found in any public school, and the parts may be handled by virtually any level percussion student. The arrangements, however, are not simple orchestrations of these tunes; instead, there are twists, turns and unexpected breaks in the melodies that give the non-pitched percussion instruments an integral role in each piece. And rather than the traditional 6/8, the "Ukrainian Bell Carol" in notated in _, wisely avoiding the three-against-two notation. Performers and audience members alike will enjoy these unusual adaptations of unforgettable tunes."
Scott Herring -PERCUSSIVE NOTES June 2004

Instrumentation: glockenspiel, xylophone, chimes, snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, optional three bass drums- for field show use), tom-toms(4), cymbals.
Written for eight to ten performers, this composition can be performed either inside, or outside, with multiple bass drums. This number is scored for xylophone, glockenspiel, chimes, snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, tom-toms, multiple bass drums and cymbals and utilizes a great rock beat throughout the entire piece. The mallet and chime parts are appealing-but easy, with the chimes used occasionally as a solo instrument. This piece could easily be used as a percussion feature for the marching band field show. Short and to the point, it has lots of energy for that easy to learn percussion feature.

"This piece can be played indoors as a percussion ensemble composition or as a field show percussion feature . The instrumentation includes glockenspiel, xylophone, chimes, snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, optional three bass drums, tom-toms and cymbals. If the piece were performed in a marching context, the part for three bass drums should replace the part written for one bass drum. The piece begins with a two-note keyboard motive that recurs throughout the piece. The mallet parts are excellent for beginners because of the limited range and use of repetition. The snare drum part includes rolls but no flams or drags. There are ample sections featuring the batterie, and these alternate with tutti sections. Dynamics are clearly marked, and written with the balance between the keyboards and batterie in mind. This well-constructed piece would serve well as an introduction to both marching and concert percussion ensemble.
- Tom Morgan - Percussive Notes Dec 2004

“This percussion octet is scored for glockenspiel, xylophone, chimes, snare drum, bass drum, timpani, tambourine and triangle. It begins in 3/4 but a hemeloa in the key­board parts makes the piece sound as if it is in 4/4. A simple rhythmic theme is developed throughout and the 3/4 meter soon becomes clear.
Repetition in the keyboard parts makes this a good choice for a young ensemble with inexperienced mallet players. Each part is chal­lenging, including the triangle and bass drum parts, each of which re­quire two beaters to perform. There is much dynamic contrast and rhythmic variety. This well-grafted piece has much pedagogical and musical value.”