Sean J. Kennedy

SIXTY-SECOND SOLOS: for Snare Drum, Timpani and Mallet Instruments

for Snare Drum, Timpani, and Mallet Instruments

Alfred Music | 2014
Grade 3–4 | Late Middle School–Early High School

Nine concise, musical solos designed for developing percussionists.

In today’s audition landscape, students are often asked to demonstrate technique, musicality, and interpretation in short excerpts. Sixty-Second Solos meets that challenge head-on with nine engaging works—each approximately one minute in length—crafted specifically for snare drum, mallet instruments, and timpani.

Written with the advancing middle school and early high school percussionist in mind, this collection:

• Builds foundational technique in a focused format
• Develops expressive playing through clear dynamic contrasts
• Introduces instrument-specific skills (roll control, double-stops, surface changes, pedaling)
• Provides program notes and performance tips for musical growth
• Fits perfectly into audition requirements and Solo & Ensemble festivals

The solos are approachable yet musically satisfying—ideal for:

• State Solo & Ensemble (Grade 3–4)
• Middle and early high school auditions
• Recital programming
• Private lesson repertoire

Each piece tells a story while reinforcing core percussion fundamentals, making this collection both educational and engaging. Students don’t just practice technique—they learn to shape music.

A smart, efficient bridge between fundamentals and expressive performance.

SIXTY SECOND SOLOS

ADVANCED EDITION

Available now on Amazon!

SJKDRUMS MUSIC, 2024

for Snare Drum, Timpani, and Mallet Instruments

Independent Release (2023)
Grade 5–6 | Advanced High School–Collegiate–Pre-Professional

Serious audition literature in a focused one-minute format.

The Advanced Edition expands the original concept into refined, audition-ready repertoire for the mature percussionist. Each solo remains concise—approximately one minute—but now demands greater technical control, musical nuance, and interpretive maturity.

Designed for advanced high school students, collegiate performers, and young professionals, this edition emphasizes:

• Subtle dynamic shading and expressive control
• Mixed meters and rhythmic sophistication
• Advanced surface changes and orchestration on snare drum
• Harmonic awareness and refined pedaling on timpani
• Independent voicing and texture in mallet writing
• Performance artistry beyond mechanics

These works are ideal for:

• All-State and Regional auditions
• College entrance auditions
• Undergraduate juries
• Scholarship competitions
• Serious recital programming

Rather than simply demonstrating technique, performers must reveal musical depth, control of tone, and interpretive intention. The writing assumes a solid technical foundation and challenges players to refine their craft.

Compact. Demanding. Musically mature.
This is literature for percussionists ready to move from competence to artistry.

OODLES OF ACCENTS: JAZZ DRUM SET WORKBOOK

SJKDRUMS MUSIC, 2023

Level: Intermediate–Advanced (Grade 4–6)

Oodles of Accents is a focused jazz drum set workbook designed to strengthen dynamic control, swing phrasing, and limb independence through the intentional study of accent placement. Built for serious students and educators, this collection moves beyond mechanical exercises and into musical application rooted in authentic jazz language.

Designed for advanced high school, collegiate, and adult learners (Grade 4–6), the book assumes a working knowledge of basic swing time and ride cymbal patterns. From there, it systematically develops:

• Dynamic shaping within swing feel
• Accent interpretation in ride and comping patterns
• Four-way independence
• Coordination between melody and accompaniment
• Expressive time and phrasing

Rather than treating accents as technical drills, this workbook trains drummers to hear, shape, and phrase accents musically—making the concepts immediately transferable to combo rehearsals, jam sessions, and live performance.

Ideal for private study, jazz band preparation, and college methods courses, Oodles of Accents helps developing jazz drummers move from functional timekeeping to confident, interactive musicianship.

A practical, groove-centered resource for drummers ready to refine their jazz vocabulary.