Dance of the Mirlitons (4 flutes ensemble)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky · Arranged by Yu-Tai Cheng

The Reed Flutes Dance, Arranged for Four Flutes

Dance of the Mirlitons, also known as Dance of the Reed Flutes, is one of the best-loved pieces from Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, and it was always meant to be played by flutes. This arrangement by flutist and composer Yu-Tai Cheng sets it for four flutes, written with young players in mind.

The tune is light and quick, passed between the four parts in short phrases. Players get to practice clean tonguing, ensemble timing and balance, and the arrangement includes expressive details such as rall., rit. and a tempo, with dynamics that grow from a soft opening to a bold finish.

Medium to advanced level. A good choice for holiday concerts, youth flute choirs, studio recitals and Nutcracker-season programs.

What you get

– Sheet music for flute quartet, Flutes 1–4 (PDF, instant download)

– Full score + individual parts, 14 pages

– Tempo: q = 65 · Meter: 2/4

– Level: Medium / Advanced

Perfect for Holiday and Nutcracker Programs

Who it’s for

– Youth flute quartets and flute choirs preparing a Nutcracker or Christmas program

– Teachers and ensemble coaches who want a classical arrangement that builds tonguing, ensemble precision and dynamic control

– Families and students who know the tune from The Nutcracker and want to play it on flutes

About the arranger

Yu-Tai Cheng (鄭宇泰) is a Taiwanese flutist and composer, founder of Flute Gamer Studio (長笛玩家工作室), and author of 《Beatbox Flute》 and 《循環呼吸》. He is a pioneer of systematic beatbox flute and circular-breathing pedagogy in the Chinese-speaking world.

Original composition by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (public domain). This arrangement © Flute Gamer Studio, myrflute.com.