Opa!

by Brian Slawson

Medium Concert Percussion

10 Players

Instrumentation: 

• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Chimes
• Vibraphone
• 1 marimba* — low A
• 4 timpani
• Drumset
• Drums (bongos, doumbek)
• Cymbals & gongs (crash cymbals)
• Accessories (temple blocks, bell tree, finger cymbals, cabasa, tambourine)

*Shared by 2 players

Brian Slawson wrote Opa! as a celebration of Grandparents’ Day - a holiday that honors the bonds between grandparents and grandchildren. The title holds two meanings: Firstly, “opa!” is a Greek expression often cheered at weddings and Greek dances. The word also translates to “grandpa” in German, a fitting coincidence for the meaning behind the piece!

Musically, the work takes inspiration from multiple sources. The slow, call-and-response introduction is loosely inspired by the counterpoint of Bach. Soon after, the tempo picks up as the full ensemble breaks into exuberant music-making, including several zany quotes from Pachelbel’s Canon in D. This piece is a great addition to the intermediate ensemble repertoire for any festive occasion!

Opa! ships as a printed, professionally bound score, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.

In addition to the printed score you are receiving downloadable:

✅ Individual Parts
✅ Full Recording