Published Music

The December Zephyr: The Changing Winds of December: (4 bell players & Sleighbells):
Starting the school year with a new percussion class is always fun.  Seeing the kids progress from learning one note to the next and watching their excitement as they learn is amazing.  But all percussion kids have the same problem, in which octave are the bell parts written?  Are they Starting on Bb below the staff or Bb in the staff or are the parts haphazard one piece in one lower octave and the other in the higher.  I decided to try to write a piece with a minimum of material that would stretch the students to learn the new octave notes but give them a crutch.  It was with that concept I wrote The December Zephyr. A Zephyr is a light breeze usually from the West.  In the case of this composition I thought of it as the first cold breeze of December which signals the changing season.   Random snowflakes appear and dance delicately in the sky.   The entire piece uses notes with their letter names so the kids always had a crutch.  As I mentioned I also tried to use a minimum of material for this composition and all those can be found in the KEY EXERCISES found on the back page.  These are the building blocks  to the piece.  Each exercise A – G is identical for all instruments so you can teach all the students at once.  H is the exception, it is generally the same rhythmic structure but is written in harmony….yep, harmony.  They can do this! I recommend having the Sleigh Bell part played by the teacher so the kids have a de#nite, strong pulse to link into. Grade 1: (coming soon from Ludwig Masters Music)

March of the Enchanted Toys:
T’was the day after Christmas and magic was in the air.
The toys had been played with and were thrown about without care.  
but with a bell’s magic jingle, they suddenly came alive,
and moved to gather three, four, then five.  
They began to march in an enchanted parade
Keeping good time like a well-trained brigade.
They continued their hike around the tree with pride
so festive and happy just to be free and alive.
But the magic was waining with the jingle of bells
and the toys disbanded and said their farewells,
Their magic had run out, at least for this year
It would be 365 days before the March of the Enchanted Toys would again reappear. 

March of the Enchanted Toys is a work for beginning-level percussionists.  A simple melody and rhythmic patterns make it easier to teach and learn.  In addition, the score and parts are all written with alpha notes, making it easier for young students to read the notes that are not usually in their range.   March of the Enchanged today is scored for 6-12 Percussionists playing 4 Bells Sets (written for beginning percussion kits),  Xylophone,   Triangle,   Ratchet,  Vibraslap,  Wood Block,  Bass Drum,  Sleighbells,  Temple Blocks (5). f you wish to play this with reduced instrumentation, Use the instruments in this order: 4 Bells , Xylophone, Sleighbells , Ratchet/Vibraslap (played by 1 player)
  Temple Blocks, Triangle, Wood Blocks. Available from Sheet Music Plus / Sheet Music Direct Grade 1,

Santa’s Magical Workshop: T’was the day before Christmas, at the North Pole. The elves were working to finish the toys, and they were on a roll For they knew that tonight, Santa would be on his way taking the presents to the children, in his enchanted sleigh. The elves worked hard until the night, singing Christmas songs in delight,  and finishing the toys so Santa could take flight. The sudden jingling of bells meant Santa was here. It was time to pack the sleigh, and get the reindeer. and when it was done, the elves let out a great cheer, it was time to rest for Santa’s Magical Workshop was closed for the rest of the year..

Santa’s Magical Workshop has been scored for 3-4 bell s, xylophone, sleighbells, temple blocks and Triangle all for the beginning percussion ensemble. Written using Alphanotes, this will allow the young percussion to read notes which are not usually use for beginning percussionists. Grade 1, (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

The Terrifically Terrifying Toboggan Trek 4-5 Players
Scored for 4 Bells, Sleighbells. Riding a toboggan down a hill on a cold, winter afternoon is always fun, but at night makes for a terrifically terrifying time. It’s cold, and dark and you never know what’s around the next banking turn. Excitement and Terror combine to create an adventure you will always remember. The Terrifically Terrifying Toboggan Trek is my second piece for very easy percussion ensemble with the beginning percussionists in mind. The piece has been scored by utilizing patterns which are relatively easy to learn. Layering and varying the patterns makes a fun and interesting piece to learn and perform. In addition, the use of the Alphanotes allows the new percussionist to review reading notes as they learn a piece which is most likely more difficult than they would normally perform. This will allow the students to focus on time keeping and listening. I also recommend the director play the sleighbells part as a way to be a part of the ensemble and so he/she can set a steady beat for everyone to follow. Grade 1 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

Up on the Housetop: 5-8 Players:
Scored for 2 Bells, 2 Xylophones (on 1 instrument) 1 Marimba, Percussion 1: 2 temple blocks, slide whistle, triangle, Percussion 2: Sleighbells Grade 1.5 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

American Yankee, a Yankee Doodle Fantasy 5 players:
A Yankee Doodle Fantasy, Arranged for Middle School Level Percussion Quintet, American Yankee, A Yankee Doodle Fantasy has been scored for Bells, Xylophone (or Marimba) and 4.3 octave Marimba. (needed for Bb, but can be played up the octave) Snare Drum and Bass Drum. In addition to Yankee Doodle, several other patriotic quotes are included to create a fun arrangement for your grade 2 1/2 – 3 percussion ensemble. Grade 2.5-3, (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

Battle Scene: 6-8 players
An exciting work for younger performers, Battle Scene uses three mallet players and three non-pitched percussionists to weave a description of an imaginary battle. Two-mallet playing is required. There is some flexibility with personnel to enable some expanded.  Scored for Bells, Chimes, Xylophone (&/or Marimba) Snare Drum, Crash Cymbals, Bass Drum, Triangle & Timpani  Grade 2.5 (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters)

Dashing Through the Snow (10 players)
Dashing through the Snow is a percussion ensemble based on well know tune Jingle Bells. Scored for middle school percussion ensemble with an advanced player on Xylophone, this piece will be a fun addition for your holiday concert. The piece opens with the sounds of a snow storm. You may use a recording for this or use your brass players to blow air through their instrument to make the sounds of winter. To avoid the tonal explosions, have the kids place their lips around the mouthpiece. Crescendo and decrescendo at your own rates to set the stage. You should do this for 15-20 seconds before the tempo is set. (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

Deck the Halls with Percussion: Scored for 9 piece percussion ensemble, Deck the Halls is a great intermediate piece for the holiday percussion ensemble.  Scored for Bells, Xylophone, 2 Marimbas (played on 1 instrument) Chimes, Snare Drum (w/Triangle), Bass Drum, Tambourine Sleighbells and Timpani (w/temple blocks) this is a great piece for your junior high level percussionists.  Grade 2 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Dialogues:  (3 players)
Nuance abounds in this superlative work for young percussionists. Musicality will take precedence over bombast and reward the players with increased musical skills.  Scored for: 3 Snare Drum, Tambourine & Bass Drum (or Low Tom, played with snare drum sticks.    Grade 2.5 – (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters).

Four American Folk Songs:  5 players
Scored for Bells, Xylophone 2 Marimbas (playable on 1 marimba, two players and percussion these intermediate ensembles are great for your school program:  Includes: Camptown Races, Home on the Range, Polly Wolly Doodle all the Day, &  Good Night Ladies  Grade 2-3 (Per-Mus Publications)

Let it Snow, Let It Snow: 7 Players:
It’s getting colders, it might snow! Here’s a great arrangement for the Holiday Season! Scored for: 2 Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Marimba, Timpani, Sleighbells: Grade 2.5 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Muppet Show Theme: 4 players:
It’s Time to Start the Music, It’s Time to Light the Lights, It’s time to get things started on the Muppet Show Tonight. Scored for Bells, 2 Players on one 3.5 oct xylo, this arrangement promises to be fun and educational for your developing percussionists! Grade 2 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

One Fell Off the Housetop 5 players
a musical journey for Percussion Quintet telling the story of Santa delivering toys on Christmas Eve with his trusty Elf Zach.  This journey is heard through the well-known tune Up on the Housetop.  Things are going well for Zach on Christmas Eve.  On the first stop, he slips off the housetop and lands in the snow below.  Following his accident, Zach is a little messed up and begins singing Holiday tunes such: Jingle Bells, Hallelujah Choir, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,  Joy to the World, 12 Days of Christmas, Oh Tannenbaum, Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas,  & Jolly Old St. Nicholas. throughout his ride.  (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

PARTS:
 Player 1:   Bells & Slide Whistle
 Player 2:   Xylophone
 Player 3:   Marimba, Bass Drum, & Ratchet
 Player 4:   Bass Marimba (4.3) in Bass Clef or in Treble Clef and played  1 octave lower 
                      & Nightingale Whistle 
 Player 5:   Sleighbells

Scherzo for Percussion Trio  3 Players
Here is a creative grade 2 percussion trio scored for 2 snare drums and 2 low tom toms.  The piece features tutti and independent lines to create a playful work for young percussionists.  Other effects include playing on the rim, stick clicks, rim shots and “air” playing!  The Scherzo, is written in ABA style and would make an excellent addition to a solo and ensemble program. (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct) (Grade 2). (To hear this selection, click the title)

Three Ragtime Quintets:  5 players
Scored for Bells, Xylophone 2 Marimbas (playable on 1 marimba, two players) and drum set, these intermediate ensembles are great for your school program:  Includes: Ja Da, The Strutter’s Ball, & 12th Street Rag   Great for the developing percussionist. Grade 2-3 (Published by Per-Mus Publications).

We Are Santa’s Elves: 6- 10 players:
From the Rankin and Bass Holiday Sepecial “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” comes this great tune! Scored for: Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone, 3 Marimbas (playable on 2 instruments) Snare Drum (Triangle, Woodblock, Cowbell), Sleigh bells, Timpani. It promises to keep your little Elves Busy! Grade 2.5 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct). (To hear this selection, click the title)

Arcade 1920s: 4 Players. Before the days of video games or even movies, the Penny Arcade served as enjoyment for the kids and adults of the era.  Early non-electric pinball, hand-cranked horse races, throwing games, love testing machines, skeeball, fortune-telling games and the mutoscope, an early hand-cranked device that displayed “moving pictures” through binocular lenses kept kids busy for hours.  Arcade 1920s hopes to recapture the music of the era and the sounds of an arcade filled with people enjoying the games on a warm, sunny afternoon at an amusement park.  Listen to the sizzles, clangs, booms, and bangs as tickets pour out of the winning machines.   (Published by C. Alan Publications) Grade 2.5 – 3

Percussion 1: Vibraslap, Bells, Temple Blocks
Percussion 2: Xylophone, Triangle, Bell Plate, Snare Drum
Percussion 3: Chimes, Bass Drum, Police Whistle
Percussion 4: Marimba (or Xylophone), Ratchet, Slap Stick, Bass Drum.  Brake Drum, Tambourine (on table w/sticks), Splash Cymbal

The Bell Carol: (Carol of the Bells): by Mykola. Leontovych. (14 or 15 players).
Carol of the Bells has been arranged for 14 piece, grade 3 percussion ensemble by Brian Monroe. Available exclusively from Sheetmusicplus.com or sheetmusicdirect.com this work has been scored for Crotales (or Bells) 2 Bells, 2 Xylophones (playable on 1 instrument), 2 Vibraphone (playable on 1 instrument), 3 Marimbas (1 & 3 on the same instrument), Chimes, Sleighbells, 2 Triangles & Suspended Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal & Snare Drum, optional Handbells (or Synth with Church Bells or Handbells patch). Grade 3. (Sheet Music Plus, Sheet Music Direct).

Gravitational Ripples: 5 Players: 
Gravitational Ripples are ‘waves’ in space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe.  Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity. Einstein’s mathematics showed that massive accelerating objects (things like neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other) would disrupt space-time in such a way that ‘waves’ of undulating space-time would propagate in all directions away from the source. These cosmic ripples would travel at the speed of light, carrying with them information about their origins, as well as clues to the nature of gravity itself. This quintet for percussion ensemble works to convey the power & energetic nature of these ripples in space-time. Please note, the Marimba 1 & 2 Parts have been written so you can play them on the same instrument.  Grade 3.  (Published by C. Alan Publications)

Instrumentation:
 Percussion 1: Bells, Woodblock, Crash Cymbal
 Percussion 2: Vibes, 3 Tom Toms, Sizzle Cymbal
 Percussion 3:  Marimba 1, Snare Drum
 Percussion 4:  Marimba 2, Gong (bow & mallet)
 Percussion 5: Timpani, Snare Drum, Triangle

Seconds in Time: 8 players
The perfect tool for teaching percussionists balance and blend, Seconds in Time is melodic, not “drummy” or bombastic. The work is not overly reliant upon technique, focusing instead on acquiring musical skills. During one section, the mallet players join on snare drums to create a snare drum trio accompanied by the other ensemble members.  Eight players are needed.  Scored for Bells, Chimes, Xylophone & Snare Drum, Virbraphone & Snare Drum, Marimba & Tambourine, Triangle, Susp. Cymbal, Bass drum, Snare drum, Suspended Cymbal & Timpani.   Grade 3 (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters)

Of Thunder and Steel:  4 players
From ancient Norse legend comes a musical portal Mjolnir, the powerful hammer imbued with magical powers and wielded by Thor, the god of thunder. Of Thunder and Steel is scored for four players, Players 1-3 perform on one tom tom each, (high, medium or low) representing the hammer’s ability to call on the Bifrost allowing one to travel across the galaxy and a shared bass drum positioned in the middle of the setup, representing the destructive power of the weapon. The fourth player plays on Hi-Hat and utilizes the foot pedal for effects, representing the energy sizzling through it. All combine to create an exciting work for intermediate percussionists. . Grade 3 (C Alan Publications)

Put on Foot in Front of the Other: 6 players:
Here’s another hit from the Rankin and Bass holiday special “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” Just put one foot in front of the other as we feature: Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Marimba, Bass Marimba, & Drum Set. Grade 3 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Star Dancer: 6 players
A melodic excursion for percussion, the work’s primary difficulty is in a mallet switch in the percussion part. The tempo is bright to keep all players on their toes. Solidly and pedagogically written, Star Dancer, is an outstanding addition to the genre. Requires 7 players. Scored for:  Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone & Marimba, Chimes, Snare Drum, Susp. Cymbal, Hi Hat, Triangle & Timpani    Grade 3 (KeiserSouthern/Ludwig-Masters)

Snowfall Dances: 8 players
Inspired by the image of snow flakes falling and kids playing this work for percussion ensemble  employs interplay between the parts to create a lyric line which runs through the ensemble.  features  8 players.  Scored for Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Marimba, Chimes, Timpani and Two Percussionists playing Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Wind Chimes & Triangle.  Grade 3 (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters)

Watermelon Whispers: 4 players
George Hamilton Green, arranged by Brian Monroe. Written in 1918 for solo piano. Monroe has arranged this piece for Solo Xylophone, Bells and 2 Marimbas. Grade 3-3.5 Available from Sheet Music Plus or Sheet Music Direct., (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Yes, We Have No Bananas 5 players
Yes, We Have no Bananas was written by Frank Silver and Irving Cahn and was released in 1923, becoming an overnight hit.  It has been recorded by many artists including Benny Goodman Louie Prima and Spike Jones and has appeared over the years in television shows and movies.  This version is fashioned in the style of Spike Jones with all the percussion “toys”” It features Bells, Xylophone and Marimba(2) .  Each part is fun and challenging.  Tempos for the piece can range anywhere from 110-132 bpm with the optimum being 120-132. Grade 3: (Published by Per-Mus Publications)

Dance of the Toy Regiment: Joe Green 7 players Dance of the Toy Regiment was written in the early 1920’s and published in 1925 by the Leedy Manufacturing Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, and recorded in 1926, with Soloist Joe Green and the Green Brothers Novelty Band.   Originally written for Xylophone and Piano, it was later scored for Xylophone and a 9 piece orchestra.  Dance of the Toy Regiment was recorded by five record labels including Victor, Columbia, Brunswick and Edison companies.  Each recording featured a slightly different orchestration and xylophone solo improvisation.  Dance of the Toy Regiment was composed by Joe Green & Nathaniel Shilkret.   This arrangement is a fusion of the original Xylophone & Piano version and two of the orchestrations found on recordings.  This arrangement has been scored for: Solo Xylophone, Bells, Vibraphone, 3 Marimbas, & Bass Marimba (Low C) however it can be performed on a 4 octave instrument (C. Alan Publications)

Down By The Ohio  8 Players: was composed in 1920, by the team of Ohio born composer Abe Olman (1887-1984) and Lyrics by Jack Yellen (1892-1991). Down by the Ohio was popularized in 1940 by the Andrews sisters. the Smoothies and Spike Jones. First made popular by vaudeville performers in the 1920’s  and later recorded by Billy Murray and Billy Jones. The song was performed by several of the great performers of the day. including Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and Ted Lewis. An interesting melody with catchy lyrics made this song one of most popular hits of all time.  It has appeared in movies like Steven Spielberg’s  1941.  Down by the Ohiohas also become Ohio’s unofficial state song, after Beautiful Ohio, and it is a standard for the The Ohio State University Marching since the 1930’s. This percussion ensemble  arrangement is modeled after several renditions with a touch of George Hamilton Green and Spike Jones for fun!: Bells, Xylophone, 3 Marimbas, Bass Marimba, Drum Set, Percussion “Toys” Grade 4 (Published by Per-Mus Publications)

Fugue in D Major: 4 players
Johan Sebastian Bach, BWV 850  Fugue in D Major was composed in 1722 as part of Bach’s Well Tempered Klavier- Book 1. The work is representative of Bach’s masterful use of counterpoint and texture.  Throughout the work, Bach balances light flowing ideas against more frantic, faster moving lines to create a complex texture in this memorable 2 minute long fugue.   Scored for Bells, Xylophone & 2 Marimbas (1 must be 5 octaves)          Grade 4 (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters

Theme from the Simpsons: Large Ensemble: 15-16 Players:
 Theme from the Simpsons is a transcription of the opening of the American animated sit-com which first aired on the Tracy Ulman show in 1987.  The theme song was composed by Danny Elfman in 1989.  It has undergone several rearrangements during the show’s run to account for adding or subtracting new material from the opening.  This version features 15-16 percussionists. Scored for 15-16 players, the score includes parts for Crotates, 2 Bells, 2 Xylophone, 2 Vibraphones, Chimes, 4 Marimbas (Playable on 2) with optional 5 octave bass notes, Percussion 1 : Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum & Bass Drum, Percussion 2: Tambourine & Bongos Grade 4 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Under the Sea: 5 players:
Here’s the great calypso from the Little Mermaid! Featuring: Bells, Xylophone/Vibraphone, Marimba 1, Marimba 2, Bass Marimba: Grade 4-5 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

Walking Tune: 9 players
A vintage work by Percy Grainger comes alive as a 9 piece Percussion Ensemble for keyboard percussion and timpani.  Drawing upon Grainger’s use of “Tuneful Percussion,”  Walking Tune intermixes Metal and Wooden sounds to capture the colors found in Grainger’s music.  Scored for Crotales, Bells, Xylophone, Vibraphone,  3 Marimbas including a Bass Marimba (can be played on 2 marimbas by 3 players), Chimes & Timpani.               Grade 4+
(C. Alan Publications)

Alien Invasion from the Dark Planet; This beginning band work with Narrator will be a definite hit on your next concert. Telling the story of Aliens who attack your town, and how a group of student battle them, the music is coordinated with the narration to provide a fun and exciting composition. (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters). Grade 1.

Fanfare: Fanfare was writing for the Crestwood Intermediate School 6th grade band. Featuring only 6 notes, this work features a catchy melody to inspire beginning level players. The piece is written at a grade 1+ level, and is appropriate for end of first year instruction. (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters) Grade 1 JW Pepper’s

The Haunted Granary: Haunted Granary is the musical story of a trip through a haunted house (or Granary). Complete with spooky music and vocal effects (Boo’s and Screams) this piece will delight beginning students. The Haunted Granary uses only 6 notes, except for the clarinets who also play a throat-tone Bb. (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters) Grade 1.  JW Pepper’s

Time Bandits: The Time Bandits are at it again.  Traveling through musical time stealing beats and creating instability in magnificent works.  The world famous composer and music physicist Beathoven once proclaimed  “For the music to flow correctly, it must have a steady pulse of four beats in a measure.  This concept is as fundamental as the rising and setting of the sun that creates day and night.  But the Time Bandits will do anything to destroy consistency in music, stealing beats here or there without a second thought.  4/4 time can be stealthily attacked becoming 3/4 time or it savagely slashed into  2/4 time.  Not even the smallest 64th rest can survive!   The destroyed beats disappear into the silence and desolation of the uncomposed music dimension.  Occasionally however, the Time Bandits gets sloppy and drop a beat as they make their ninja-like escape.  The orphaned beat quickly finds a new home in the composition.  You might see and hear 5 beats in a measure. Overjoyed by being again included in the melody the orphaned beat shouts out making itself known to the notes around it!   But beware, when the Time Bandits slip up, there always is a price to pay.   In their anger and frustration they can unleash their most fearsome weapon, the Senza Tempus which annihilates music and beat, creating total silence.  How long can it last? That depends on the band’s dedication.  Can our adventurous young musicians work together so their composition can survive?  It fight starts here and now……Assemble your instruments, wet those reeds, oil the valves, sit up tall, make final adjustments to the music stand, above all, watch your leader and keep tapping those toes to victory!  Good luck Band Rangers (Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters). Grade 1.

Loch Lomond: The song Loch Lomond first appeared in “Vocal Melodies of Scotland” published in the 1840’s.  With no attributed composer, it remains a mystery who wrote the melody.  Loch Lomond is a famous freshwater Scottish loch (lake) between the lowlands of central Scotland and the Highlands.  The lake is about 23 miles long and 5 miles wide.   This arrangement for Concert Band is Available from (coming in 2024-25 from Keiser Southern/Ludwig-Masters). Grade 3-4

Proclamations: Dedicated to Mr. James Kirk former director of middle school bands at Nordonia Middle School band, Northfield, Ohio. This ABA style work is a great addition to the band literature.  With a fanfare opening the piece begins with a spirited melody that evolves into a legato middle section before returning to the excitement of the beginning.  Well written & employing a full percussion section.  Available from Ludwig~Masters Music Publishers: Grade 2.5 – 3.

Part of Your World: from Little Mermaid: “The Little Mermaid” is still one of Disney’s most loved movies. The music by Menkin and Ashman creates magic which eleveates the visual! elevates Part of Your World has been scored For Vocal Soloist and Concert Band. Grade 3 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct).

An Avalanche in the Bleak Midwinter is a seven movement theatrical composition and study in orchestration, texture and contrasts. Various percussion instruments are used to provide different colors. The percussionists move through the audience and two percussionists are positioned behind the audience to create a surround sound effect. Lighting effects, such as blackouts, dimly lit scenes, colored lighting and even a “disco ball” effect all help to visually depict the story. Newly Revised! Grade 4+ $80.00 (Sheet Music Plus/Sheet Music Direct)

I. Setting and a Snowstorm The work is set in a small mountain village.  Each year after the first heavy snowfall, one man must climb to the peak of the mountain to pray for an easy winter.  The first movement describes the village with its church bells ringing, echoing against the mountains and the peaceful villagers, represented by the Hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter”.  The crotales introduce the snow storm motif which carries through the entire ensemble.  The storm becomes very strong as represented by the full ensemble sections.  It then clears, fading into the second movement. 

II. Climbers Song The second movement, Climbers Song  depicts the steadfast pace of the man as he climbs the mountain.   As he ascends, the energy grows until he reaches the top.  The last few steps are energized with the feeling of accomplishment.  With this he relaxes and thinks about his journey and his task still to come.  A faint flutter of snowflakes still dance in the air.  His reflection is represented by the brief hymn quote.

III Where the Peeks Scrape the Sky: The man stands at the peak and looks out over the mountain range and down to his village below.  The peaks seem to scrape the sky as the wind blows the clouds overhead.  The cold and splendid beauty of this place is witnessed through the shimmering woodwinds and percussion.

IV  &  V Dispersion!  &  Avalanche The man finishes his ceremony and begins to descend when suddenly when the ground begins to shake.  At first there is no movement then slowly the shattering effect is felt as an Avalanche Begins.  The rumble begins and leads to the Avalanche theme.  It is  followed by the avalanche’s  run out and the man’s entrapment.  Clashing and smashing percussion sounds of the avalanche serve to reintroduce the hymn, this time dissonantly harmonized representing the destructive forces of nature.  The mans is wiped from the mountain and buried.

VI Aftermath,  Reflections, Survival Unconsciousness fades as he realizes his situation.  Buried, but alive,  the man reflects upon what has happened.  His faith calms him with the fact he has accomplished his task and gives him a sense of peace.  Undaunted he attempts to free himself.  This is represented by the use of a new melody, based on In the Bleak Mid Winter which is repeated and varied.  Each repetition adds more textures & colors as our hero conquers death.  With the final exalted burst of color and energy, the man is free.  He has conquered the mountain.

VII Epilogue The man returns home and the work ends much as it began, with the snow falling upon the village the hint of a choir singing upon the wind and snow flakes dancing in the air.