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Thundersnow - Chad Heiny [DIGITAL SET]
Genre: Flexible Percussion Ensemble
Series: The Ignite Series
# of Players: 5-6+
Level: Medium Easy | Duration: 3:30
Publisher: C. Alan Publications | Copyright: 2020
Download mp3 | Click on images to left for score sample
Rating:
Price:
$32.00
Item #:
27630D
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Notes & Instrumentation
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.
Genre: Flexible Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 5-6+
Series: The Ignite Series
Level: Medium Easy | Duration: 3:30
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.
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! -
Product Reviews
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Percussive Notes New Literature Review
This piece is part of C. Alan’s “Ignite” series for the developing percussion ensemble. As such, instrumentation is adaptable to a certain extent to allow more groups the opportunity to perform the work. I am a big fan of this idea, and “Thundersnow” fits into the series quite nicely.
Except for one measure at the very beginning, the piece includes running eighth notes throughout, coming from at least one player in the ensemble. This gives it a relentless nature that holds the listener’s attention. The inclusion of sizzle cymbal and mounted kick drum bring a character reminiscent of falling snow and thunder, as intended. These are perfect choices for an accompanying rhythmic element with the keyboards. The keyboard parts include the occasional accidental, eighth-note and sixteenth-note rhythms, and double-stops. I recommend this piece for the target demographic: the developing percussion ensemble. The use of flexible instrumentation allows for experimentation with timbre, while the inclusion of a broad dynamic range encourages the development of listening across the ensemble and musical playing with students who are likely early in their percussion study.
Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 6, December 2021 Justin Bunting on Jul 5th 2022
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