When Galaxies Collide

large percussion ensemble (12 players)

duration 11'30”

When Galaxies Collide (2018) musically depicts theories related to the birth, evolution, and demise of galaxies. In particular, the music dramatizes the inevitable collision between the our own galaxy and our closest neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy. While composing the piece, I sought inspiration from stunning images from the Hubble space telescope and mesmerizing supercomputer simulations of galaxy formation from NASA. When Galaxies Collide was composed for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Alison Shaw, with the generous support of a University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Faculty Development Grant.

Instrumentation:

• glockenspiel/percussion: glockenspiel, cow bell (or brake drum)

• xylophone/percussion: xylophone, higher suspended cymbal, rain stick, maraca, 2 crystal glasses tuned to F and A

• vibraphone 1

• vibraphone 2/marimba: vibraphone, share 5-octave marimba with marimba 3

• marimba 1 (four-octave)

• marimba 2 (four-octave)

• marimba 3 (five-octave)

• 4 timpani

• percussion 1: snare drum, 4 tom-toms, shekere, higher and lower brake drums, vibraslap (mounted), 2 crystal glasses tuned to F# and C#

• percussion 2: lower suspended cymbal, higher suspended cymbal, Chinese cymbal, splash cymbal

• percussion 3: tam-tam, bongos, larger triangle, maraca, shekere, ocean drum

• percussion 4: bass drum, tambourine, 5 temple blocks, smaller triangle, wind chimes

Listen

Score Preview

Purchase

PDF: $85.00 USD - one score formatted for 8.5x11” landscape (PDF) and one set of twelve parts formatted for 8.5x11” portrait (PDF)

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