Robles-Stick ‘Em Up (SP)-Drumsticks

Stick ’Em Up by Kevin Robles is a medium-easy quartet for four players using only drumsticks—no drums or additional instruments required. Inspired by minimalist works like Steve Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood, the piece explores rhythmic layering, phased entrances, and interlocking patterns in a highly accessible format.

Each player contributes a distinct rhythmic voice that gradually builds into a cohesive groove, making this a strong introduction to ensemble timing, listening, and coordination. The writing focuses on clarity and precision, with players creating a wide range of sounds through different stick techniques and surfaces.

With no setup required, this work is especially practical for classrooms, sectionals, or quick programming needs. It also serves as an effective teaching tool for reinforcing pulse, subdivision, and ensemble awareness in developing players.

Number of players: 4+
Difficulty: Elementary/intermediate

Instrumentation: 4 pairs of drumsticks, each pair pitched slightly differently from the other pairs, if possible. May be expanded in multiples of 4.