The acoustic guitar is optional but it’s color provides a nice “courtly” tone reminiscent of the wandering troubadours of the medieval age. Any player would plays lute, mandolin, dulcimer or anything similar could read the part and contribute on the part ad lib. I always like to add 1-2 optional/atypical instruments because I have such fond memories as a student of leaving my clarinet part to play celeste or piano for a chart.

The harp/vibraphone/celesta part could be played or doubled by any combination of the instruments listed – or it could also be played by a second guitarist or even on a synthesizer.

Any extra percussionists can double the “low toms” part on percussion 3. It is typical in “Epic” style music to have lots of players doubling those parts. A combination of mallets + sticks usually yields the best results. Just as in the studio,
it may be wise to dampen the toms with pads, tape, or towels to make sure they don’t ring too wildly.

I’m always looking for ways to bring “modern” colors or techniques to my pieces and dampened toms (where the fundamental- ringing tone of the drums is muted) adds a touch of professionalism to any situation.