Elemental Dances

for Solo Timpani & Percussion Trio

Elemental Dances is a work for 5 timpani and percussion trio based on several segments of Native American music, mixing the sounds of world percussion with contemporary ideas commonly found in percussion ensemble literature.

Program Notes

Elemental Dances is a work composed in 2011/2012 as a way of exploring the practicality of literature utilizing five timpani as a solo instrument. The work is based on several segments of Native American music, mixing the sounds of world percussion with contemporary ideas commonly found in percussion ensemble literature.

1. Fire Dance: A simple exploration of a Native American celebration and explores the rhythms of their dances.

2. Rain Dance: A literal translation of a Native American rain dance with the addition of contemporary keyboard harmonies.

3. Storm Dance: An artistic follow-up to the Rain Dance, where the noises of a storm are explored in the context of the first movement’s rhythms.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2014
Number of Players: 3 + Solo Timpani
Duration: 15:00

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Instrumentation

Solo Timpani (5 drums)

Percussion 1 (Pedal Bass Drum, Floor Tom, 2 Congas (or other ethnic drums*), Rainstick (or other rain effect), Brake Drum, Sizzle Cymbal, China Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Xylophone)
Percussion 2 (Tambourine (darker tone), Fixed Drum (not snare drum), Vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (Tambourine (brighter tone), Rainstick (or other rain effect), Low African Drum, 5-octave Marimba)