Accidental Migration

Marimba Feature

Inspired by the excitement, stress, and fear brought forth from unanticipated change. This is heard as seemingly consistent patterns make decidedly unexpected transformations. These occur either through changes in pulse, in melodic inflection, or in the overall stylistic feel of the work. The title Accidental Migration is a play on words, meaning both the unintentional arrival at a new location, as well as the constant movement of altered pitches Ð accidentals.

Program Notes

1st Place Winner of the 2007 PAS Composition Contest

Commissioned by Matthew Darling and the Fresno State Percussion Ensemble, Accidental Migration was the 1st Place Winner of the 2007 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. This single movement work for solo marimba and percussion ensemble is inspired by the excitement, stress, and fear brought forth from unanticipated change. Musically speaking, this is heard as seemingly consistent patterns make decidedly unexpected transformations. These occur either through changes in pulse, in melodic inflection, or in the overall stylistic feel of the work. The title Accidental Migration is a play on words, meaning both the unintentional arrival at a new location, as well as the constant movement of altered pitches Ð accidentals.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2007
Number of Players: 6 + Solo Marimba
Duration: 12:00
Type: Sextet; Septet; With Soloist

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Instrumentation

Solo Marimba (4.3-octave)
Percussion 1 (bells, xylophone)
Percussion 2 (3-octave vibraphone, crotales)
Percussion 3 (4-octave marimba, almglocken (F2 to A3)
Percussion 4 (whip, temple blocks, timbales)
Percussion 5 (chimes, suspended cymbal, large tam-tam, 2 congas)
Percussion 6 (4 concert toms, large concert bass drum