Partytime!
for percussion ensemble
Price range: $14.00 through $47.00
The title says it all. Partytime! by Mike Nevin is a groovy, upbeat celebration of so much of what is fun for percussionists — making an audience move! This short and sweet ensemble is scored for a full complement of mallet keyboards and a rocking rhythm section of bass guitar, drumset, congas, bongos, and timbales. No 4-mallet technique required; just bring your ears, your sense of groove, and have fun!
Partytime! ships as a fully bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for either printing or tablet viewing.
- Glockenspiel
- Crotales (2 octaves)
- Chimes
- Xylophone
- 3 Vibraphones
- 3 Marimbas — (2) low A, (1) low F
- Bass guitar
- Drumset
- Percussion — bongos, 2 congas, timbales, crash cymbal, cowbell, jam block, shaker
Reviews
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Tim Feerst –
“Partytime!” originated as a “short closer” for Bear Creek High School’s 1995 indoor drumline show. After expanding the length and instrumentation, Mike Nevin had a completed classical percussion- ensemble piece. The intent of the piece is to “conjure up visions of some kind of celebration,” according to Nevin.
The piece is extremely groovy at a tempo of 116 bpm. Both the pitched and non-pitched percussion parts contain high levels of funk with contrasts of accented and non-accented notes, as well as frequent syncopation. While many of the parts have repeated bars, there are moments, particularly in the mallets, of melodic content. Dynamic contrast is also important, especially with frequent dynamic changes and situations.
There are also unique challenges in the parts. Coordination is needed for the glockenspiel part, as the player will need to play a shaker groove while also playing notes on the glockenspiel. Additionally, the bongo and conga parts have written- out sound directions, such as bass tones, slap tones, and more. Lastly, the rhythm section is extremely present. You will need a drumset player who has solid hand-feet coordination and a bass guitar player who can read a notated part. Overall, each part in the piece will give players plenty of content and challenge.
“Partytime!” is a great choice for percussion ensembles looking for a brief closer (duration is 2 minutes, 30 seconds) that is exciting and groovy, while also presenting meaningful, yet achievable, challenges on an individual level.
—Tim Feerst
Percussive Notes
Vol. 63, No. 2, April 2025