Opa!
Opa!
Item no.: TSPCE22-007
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