Amazing Grace (Ensemble) by Newton arr. Tyler Tolles

Amazing Grace is a timeless melody that has been arranged for almost every combination of instruments and voices imaginable. Tyler Tolles brings an Afro-Cuban influenced arrangement to the world of percussion for mallet percussion and an accompanying ride cymbal part. The piece is designed with the high school or early college group in mind.

The harmonic language of Tolles’ arrangement is influenced by jazz, using several extended harmonies in just the right places to help bring out the emotion. There is also a solo section, where each performer has a written out solo. Chord symbols are provided for performers who wish to improvise or embellish their individual solos. This arrangement captures the uplifting and heartwarming spirit of this enduring American melody.

This arrangement of Amazing Grace is dedicated to the memory of the great jazz mallet player Dave Samuels, who passed away in early 2019. The resulting arrangement was premiered at the 2019 PASIC by the Troy University Percussion Ensemble under the direction or Dr. Adam Blackstock.