Caliente Christmas

Rick Dior

General Info

Year of Published: 2014
Publisher: Tapspace
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:08:10
Cost: $48.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel & Caxixi
Player 2: Xylophone & Shekere
Player 3: Vibraphone
Player 4: Marimba 1 & Wind Chimes (Medium Tube)
Player 5: Marimba 2 & Woodblock
Player 6: Timpani & Claves & Shaker (Large)
Player 7: Drumset & Woodblock
Player 8: Gong & Temple Block & 2 Suspended Cymbal & Bongos & Bass Drum with Cymbal attachment
Player 9: Triangle & Tambourine & Congas & Wind Chimes (High Tube)
Player 10: Chimes & Claves & Castanets & Shaker (Small) & Wind Chimes (Large Tube)

Program Notes

Caliente Christmas is a Latin-tinged percussion ensemble piece for 10–11 players featuring a medley of Good King Wenceslas in odd-metered variations, an ethereal and relaxed Silent Night, and an Afro-Cuban version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. This piece was commissioned by the Charlotte Symphony for their annual Christmas concert in 2005 and premiered by the UNCC percussion ensemble at that event.
The piece opens with a simple 7/4 bas line performed by the slapaphone (or bass marimba) and is soon joined by several hand percussion instruments playing different counter rhythms. The mallet section enters with the Good King Wenceslas melody presented in two variations.
After an exhuberant conclusion to this opening section, a rendition of Silent Night occurs. A combination of tubular wind chimes, song bells and bowed vibraphone creates an ethereal atmosphere here, followed by a relaxed groove treatment.
An Afro-CUban version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen follows, employing a folkoric groove called Guaguanco. An extended vibraphone solo segues to the melody as well as bongo and conga solos. Here the grooves alternates between the Cuban rhythms of Mozambique and Songo.
The piece close with a "heavy metal" percussion section and a klezmer style return to the Good King Wenceslas melody.

Performance Notes

This medley makes use of a unique percussion instrument named "slapaphone" by Rick Dior. This instrument consists of tubes of PVC pipe fitted on one end with a plastic pipe flange. It's tuned with a piece of rubber or cork placed within the tube. The slapaphone is played with two wooden paddles coated with soft rubber on one side. This is similar to the instruments the Blue Man Group uses during their shows but on a much smaller scale. If you only have 10 players, the conductor can perform the slapaphone part and conduct the ensemble when necessary. The piece can also be performed without the slapaphone by using a bass marimba or the bottom range of the 5-octave marimba.
There is plenty of room throughout the arrangement for improvisation. The vibraphone, conga and bongo all have extensive solo spots. The drum set grooves are written in rough form, so this player should have good command over the Afro-Cuban rhythm Guaguanco, Mozambique and Songo.
The Silent Night section calls for three sets of tubular wind chimes. These would be similar to the pure-sounding tubular wind chimes one might put on their patio. These are played by three players and should be very sparse. They should create a tonalinty "pad" for the bowed vibraphone and song bells. The tonality should be related to C major, C suspended, C pentatonic and C9 tonalities all work well.
Song bells are similar to a glockenspiel; however, they are pitched an octave lower than a normal glockenspiel. If they are not available, use the upper part of a vibraphone with soft rubber mallets.
The bowed vibraphone parts are played on one vibraphone. Both parts are provided on the main vibraphone part, and the drum set player should play the lower line. The vibraphone should be set up next to the drum set to accommodate this sharing.

Review

As arctic air moves in and the holidays approach, some may be looking to vacation in a warmer climate. While a destination getaway may not be in your holiday plans, you can definitely heat up your concert with this unique interpretation of traditional Christmas carols. Audiences will recognize the familiar melodies of “Good King Wenceslas,” “Silent Night,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Yet, the implementation of various styles sets this arrangement apart from other similar selections.

Scored for 10–11 players, this ensemble piece will keep a large advanced high school or college studio busy. At over eight minutes long, I find the piece is a little lengthy. However, the stylistic variance helps to keep the performers and audience members engaged. The traditional Afro- Cuban rhythms included are guaguanco, mozambique, and songo. As with many Latin-inspired works, there is an abundance of syncopation throughout this piece.

In addition to the unique interpretation, Dior includes a novel instrument, which he calls the “slapaphone.” The instrument consists of five pitched PVC pipe tubes. Many will likely associate the instrument with the Blue Man Group. Dior indicates that alternate options are available, such as performing the part on a marimba. This is helpful for anyone who does not have the time, resources, or desire to construct the instrument.

Arrangements for Percussion by this Arranger

Solo

Mood for a Day - Marimba

Ensemble

Caliente Christmas - Percussion 10
Peril of the Bells - Percussion 10