We Three Kings (Hopkins Jr.)

by Simeon Tanner

Medium Concert Percussion

8 Players

Instrumentation: 

• Glockenspiel
• Vibraphone
• Marimba* — (1) low A, opt. 5-octave
• Drums — bass drum, 3 concert toms (high, med, low), high hand drum (bongos, doumbek, small frame drum, or similar), low hand drum (congas, djembe, large frame drum, or similar)
• Accessories — tambourine, medium shaker, caxixi, finger cymbals , mark tree

*shared by marimbas 1 & 2

We Three Kings arranged by Simeon Tanner is a medium-easy percussion ensemble setting of the beloved Christmas carol by John Henry Hopkins Jr. Inspired by the journey of the magi, this arrangement opens with a Middle Eastern atmosphere and unfolds through percussive storytelling, using colorful textures ideal for holiday programming.

Scored for 8 players, the arrangement allows for flexible part doubling and adaptation to available instruments. Both marimba parts can be played on a single 4.3-octave marimba if needed. Directors may augment the hand drum part with bongos, congas, frame drums, djembe, etc.