SPRING SUNRISE
Back in 2009, my friend Ben Gazaway told me about sketches for a piece that he had written back when he was in college. When he played it for me, I thought it was wonderful and I told him that the music would be fantastic as a short overture for percussion ensemble. He agreed, and let me arrange it for him - the result is Spring Sunrise.
Imagine that you are awake in the morning and are sitting on a porch, witnessing the sun coming up over a beautiful body of water. The air is crisp and cool, the colors of nature have interwoven into perfect balance, and you hear sounds of animals greeting each other for the day, while waves of the lake are cascading in to shore. Everything seems perfect and in perfect harmony as you sip your coffee (or beverage of your choice), and you realize that you are just happy to be alive.
That is the inspiration for Spring Sunrise. This short overture for percussion ensemble is a great way to express this scene and bring these images to life, both for the performers and everyone who has the opportunity to hear it!
The piece calls for 10 players: 3 Marimbas, 2 Vibraphones, Glockenspiel, Timpani and 3 Percussion. All of the percussion instruments may be shared by the 3 players.
(note: the audio file was created using Virtual Drumline software.)
Imagine that you are awake in the morning and are sitting on a porch, witnessing the sun coming up over a beautiful body of water. The air is crisp and cool, the colors of nature have interwoven into perfect balance, and you hear sounds of animals greeting each other for the day, while waves of the lake are cascading in to shore. Everything seems perfect and in perfect harmony as you sip your coffee (or beverage of your choice), and you realize that you are just happy to be alive.
That is the inspiration for Spring Sunrise. This short overture for percussion ensemble is a great way to express this scene and bring these images to life, both for the performers and everyone who has the opportunity to hear it!
The piece calls for 10 players: 3 Marimbas, 2 Vibraphones, Glockenspiel, Timpani and 3 Percussion. All of the percussion instruments may be shared by the 3 players.
(note: the audio file was created using Virtual Drumline software.)
MAPLE LEAF RAG
I completed this arrangement back in 2004 for fun, and decided to bring it back for 2020. Scott Joplin's most well known composition, originally published in 1899, has been arranged for Solo Xylophone and 3 Marimbas. While much of the original material was retained, some additional licks were written in to show off the virtuosity of the Xylophonist performing the work!
A fun, show-off piece for the advanced percussionist!
(note: the audio file was created using Virtual Drumline software.)
A fun, show-off piece for the advanced percussionist!
(note: the audio file was created using Virtual Drumline software.)
