Above the Clouds

Looking out the window once the plane has broken through the clouds gives me instant peace because it is such a beautiful sight – almost indescribable. The piece is essentially to aid in my own fear of flying by putting more of a focus on the part of flying that is most enjoyable, which is being Above the Clouds.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 12
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 6:40

Instrumentation
Xylophone/Bells
Chimes/Crotales (Suspended Cymbal)
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Marimba 1 (4 octaves)
Marimba 2 (4 octaves)
Marimba 3 (4.3 octaves)
Marimba 4 (5 octaves)
Timpani (4)
Percussion 1 (Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle)
Percussion 2 (4 Concert Toms, Suspended Cymbal, Ride Cymbal)
Percussion 3 (2 Snare Drums – piccolo and standard – with wire brushes, Splash Cymbal, Djembe)

Program Notes
I began writing this piece after my flight to Ithaca, NY for my graduate school audition at Ithaca College. The piece is essentially to aid in my own fear of flying by putting more of a focus on the part of flying that is most enjoyable, which is being Above the Clouds. Looking out the window once the plane has broken through the clouds gives me instant peace because it is such a beautiful sight – almost indescribable.