Absence of Color

The Absence of Color was written in the Winter of 2007 and received its premiere at Elon University (NC) in April, 2008. The music and the poetry came in response to two of my friends being pulled apart to different places because of work situations. Both the sadness of separation and the joy of reuniting color the sonorities.

Program Notes

The absence of color -
No flavor, bland, soul-less and no solace,
Lacking breath, movement, or rhythm,
Empty.
A kaleidoscope in neutrals awaits her.

She who asked of peace and shade,
Grown from sacred earth,
Sings a soft, fertile song.
Wild moss, ground, and tendril colors stony paths.

But now, thick wind rustles by on her nightly strolls-
Light has gone down.
Fall could be here soon.
We can give more life water.

Yet, when bulbs explode through winter's blanket,
Bursting with bright yellow flower, and
Thriving beneath the fresh shine of morning sun.
Her secret murmurs will breathe you a bouquet.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2011
Number of Players: 6 + Narrator
Duration: 9:00
Type: Sextet

Instrumentation

Narrator
Percussion 1 (Vibraphone, One-Shot Shakers, Bongos, Chimes)
Percussion 2 (Marimba [4-oct.], Claves, 2 Suspended Cymbals, Temple Blocks)
Percussion 3 (Marimba [4-oct.], Castanets, Log Drum [4 pitches], Bells)
Percussion 4 (Marimba [4.3-oct.], Bells, Tambourine, Crotales, Brake Drum, 2 Woodblocks)
Percussion 5 (Marimba [4.3-oct.], Crotales, Tambourine, 2 Toms)
Percussion 6 (Marimba [5-oct.], Slapstick, Bass Drum, Chains on Board)