Mexican Waltz (Gilbert)

by Charles Gilbert, arr. Michael Huestis

Medium Concert Percussion

8 Players

Instrumentation:

• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Vibraphone
• Marimba — low A
• 4 Timpani (32”, 29”, 26”, 23”)
• Drums & accessories — bongos, triangle, claves, maracas, cabasa, vibraslap, mark tree, bell tree
• Cymbals — suspended cymbal, ride cymbal, sizzle cymbal

Mexican Waltz by Charles Gilbert and arranged by Michael Huestis is a medium-level percussion ensemble for eight players that brings a beautiful, expressive folk song to a colorful percussion setting. With approachable writing and opportunities for players to develop ensemble balance, rhythmic consistency, and musical expression, the piece is well suited to advanced middle school and high school percussion ensembles.

Written in a traditional 3/4 waltz style, the piece opens with a melancholy minor-key melody carried by the keyboard percussion while bongos and maracas establish a steady rhythmic foundation. As the arrangement unfolds, the music moves into the parallel major, providing a brighter contrast as the melody rises and falls across the keyboard instruments. A featured bongo solo adds an energetic change of focus, while along the way auxiliary colors (including vibraslap, claves, and cabasa) add variety without requiring an extensive keyboard setup.

This piece ships as a fully bound score. Individual parts come exclusively in PDF format.