In recent years, we have been fortunate enough that with our European company, we have been able to provide between 800 and 1000 percussionists, bands, ensembles, teachers, and music schools with percussion ensemble sheet music and percussion method books every year.
We are keen on being honest about our competition and we want to inform our customers as well as possible. That's why I have compiled a list of suppliers with a solid history of publishing percussion ensemble sheet music in America.
You can roughly divide the suppliers of percussion ensemble sheet music in the USA into three different groups:
- Companies specialized in percussion ensemble sheet music
- Music publishers that also offer percussion ensemble sheet music
- Musicians who offer their percussion sheet music on their own website
Companies specialized in percussion ensemble sheet music
Row-loff Productions is one of the first American companies specialized in percussion literature. It’s founded by Chris Brooks (who unfortunately passed away in 2023) and Chris Crockarell. They became famous for their demo CDs, on which they humorously introduced all the new publications.
Tapspace Publications founded by Jim Casella & Murray Gusseck. In the beginning, this company was focused on marching percussion, mainly because of the drum corps career of both founders. In recent years, they published more concert than marching pieces. Let's not forget the development of the most widely used sample library in percussion called Virtual Drumline.
Musicon Publications was originally a part of the Innovative Percussion family. A few years ago, their paths diverged, and Mark Ford named the new company Musicon Publications. You might know Mark Ford from his book Marimba: Technique Through Music and his funny ensemble piece Coffee Break.
Marimba Productions, a sister company of Mallettech, which is one of most the famous mallet manufacturers in the USA. If you’re looking for traditional rag-times in the style of Bob Becker, Marimba Productions is the place to be. But of course, we must not forget Leigh Howard Stevens' iconic book: Method of Movement.
Music publishers that also offer percussion ensemble sheet music
C. Alan Publications publishes not only percussion music but also music for concert bands, jazz ensembles, brass bands and string orchestra. One of the most renowned composers associated with this company is Nathan Daughtrey, who has been the owner of the company since 2020.
Hal Leonard is one of the biggest music publishing companies in the USA. By acquiring a major player in the European market a few years ago, they have also established a large distribution network there. The most well-known percussion series from Hal Leonard are the Leopard Percussion Series and the Pops for Ensembles Series.
Alfred Music actually has something in its catalog for almost every instrument. In the realm of percussion ensemble sheet music, you might know them for Alfred’s Pop Mallet Ensemble Series for smaller ensembles. Many of these pieces are arranged by Jeff Moore, whom we know as the former percussion director of the Madison Scouts.
Musicians who offer their percussion sheet music on their own website
Ivan Trevino (1983) is a Mexican-American composer, percussionist, writer and arts advocate. You might know him from his popular marimba solo strive to be happy. His work 'Catching Shadows' is also really famous and performed by many university percussion ensembles.
Gary Griffith, (1985) who recently made waves with his snare drum compendium featuring over 3400 hybrid rudiments, also writes beautiful pieces for vibraphone, marimba, and small ensembles.
There might be more...
We realize that this is only a small part of what is available in the field of percussion ensemble sheet music in the USA. Do you think you have good additions or that we have forgotten something? Please let us know. We’d love to add your suggestion to this list.
You may also like to take a look at some of these useful blogs:
About Dirkjan van Groningen: Professional percussionist, teacher, composer, and musical entrepreneur. Helps percussionists to function more effectively in bands and ensembles by providing valuable additional resources with his method books and ensemble sheet music!
