Percussion music for solo marimba and xylophone by Howard J. Buss

Compositions and Arrangements
Grading Scale:
I-II: Easy
III-IV: Intermediate
V-VI: Advanced
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Solo Percussion - unaccompanied
 Works are in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis:

A Day in the City-Buss, marimba coverA DAY IN THE CITY “7 Vignettes” (1986, new edition: revised and renotated 2015) for solo marimba or xylophone. These musical scenes from the city are excellent study and recital pieces. Each movement depicts an occurrence which the composer experienced one day during a visit to New York City. The movements are Another Sunrise, Off to a Busy Day, The Lost Key Episode, The Waitin' in Line Blues, Romantic Interlude, Sudden Storm, and Out on the Town. "Tonal, charming and imaginative! The low purchase price and the incisive approach of a skilled composer make this a piece worth seeking out.”- PMEA News (10’) Grade IV. Score samples: Excerpts.pdf

Music available from Cimarron Music Press



RITE OF PASSAGE (1995) for solo marimba. This “tour de force” features technically impressive passages of driving intensity with a haunting, mystical central section. “A challenging solo that is worth consideration for the advanced recital - Percussive Notes. (5’45”) Grade V-VI.
Recorded on the CD Spanish Memoirs by Yu-Jung Chung (available from IBS Classical).
Sound excerpts: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press


Percussion Music Index:                                                                   
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category.

Solo percussion - unaccompanied

One percussion with one other instrument


Two percussion with one other instrument

Three or more percussion with piano

Percussion ensembles

Percussion in chamber music


Howard J. Buss, Composer       

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Percussion Music, graded catalog. Product description: Percussion: Unaccompanied solos, Duos, Ensembles, Chamber Music, and Recordings