Thundersnow

Scored for percussion quintet with optional offstage percussionist(s), Thundersnow is mysterious, mesmerizing, bold, but also extremely delicate at times: much like the storms themselves.

Program Notes

It’s rather ironic that I wrote Thundersnow for a commission that originated in Hawaii, but as I reflected on the youthful exuberance and determination of the young man organizing the project, I was reminded of my son and the first time him and I experienced thundersnow (a thunderstorm with snow instead of rainfall) here in Pennsylvania (yes; the furthest thing from Hawaii). I vividly remember him and I looking at one another with a sense of wonder, then turning down the TV and sitting in front of the window watching the storm until it stopped. His post-storm curiosity lead us to searching the internet about the phenomenon: especially watching videos of other thundersnow. This spirit of inquiry in today’s youth is infectious, and I wanted to celebrate it in some way with this work.

Scored for percussion quintet with optional offstage percussionist(s), Thundersnow is mysterious, mesmerizing, bold, but also extremely delicate at times: much like the storms themselves.

Thundersnow was commissioned by the Hawaii Youth Percussion Ensemble, Caden Hong, Commissioning Projector Director, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2019.

The IGNITE Series for the Developing Percussion Ensemble
This unique series was designed specifically for young percussionists as they experience the magic of playing in a percussion ensemble. Each piece provides the director and students with great flexibility - from the number of players to the tempo to the instrumentation.
Light a fire under your students today!

Grade Level: Medium Easy
Copyright: 2020
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Series: Ignite Series
Category: Percussion

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Instrumentation

Glockenspiel (may double with Vibraphone played one octave higher)
Vibraphone
Marimba 1 [4-octave]*, Medium-Low Tom
Marimba 2 [4.3-octave]*, Low Tom
Percussion : 1Kick Drum [laid on side], Sizzle Cymbal, Ride Cymbal
Percussion 2 [optional]: Ocean Drum, Concert Bass Drum (or other large, resonant drum)

*Marimba 1 & 2 may be played on one 4.3-octave instrument.