American Suite for Unaccompanied Snare Drum

Guy Gauthreaux II

General Info

Year: 1989
Duration: 00:14:10
Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
Publisher: GIA Publications
Cost: $14.95

Movements

Movement 1: 00:02:00
Movement 2: 00:02:25
Movement 3: 00:02:45
Movement 4: 00:03:00
Movement 5: 00:04:00

Instrumentation

Snare Drum

Program Notes

American Suite for Unaccompanied Snare Drum by Guy Gauthreaux II is an international standard in recitals and contests, for good reason. This solo, written in five movements, covers nearly all of the different styles of playing that snare drummers have developed over the centuries.

Movement I introduces the thematic material that will be used throughout the solo, and requires some hand-to-hand independence.

Movement II is written in an old-school rudimental style mixed with contemporary time signature changes. This movement also uses all 40 of the PAS international drum rudiments.

Movement III is written entirely for brushes in a jazz style, with a significant amount of hand-to-hand independence.

Movement IV features a Latin style of writing, requiring the player to use many different techniques and playing zones.

Movement V is longer and more difficult than any other movement, and is written in the contemporary concert snare style. This movement will challenge most students.

American Suite is a great choice for percussionists who need to play some drums on a recital, or are looking for good audition material. The movements can be played in any order or alone.

Awards

1st place in the 1989 Percussive Art Society composition contest

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Snare Drum Solos

The Timekeeper
American Suite for Unaccompanied Snare Drum
Recital Piece for Solo Snare Drum
Six Classic Snare Drum Solos
Snare Drum from the Masters