False Summit (Duet for 2 Percussion)

False Summit was inspired by hiking adventures in Colorado. One of the most frustrating encounters is just when you think 'I've arrived at the top' you are disheartened to learn that there is actually a long way yet to travel. The true summit is always further than it appears, yet closer than it feels - a sentiment I've tried to capture in this piece. Once you reach the true summit, there is no better feeling in the world!

Genre: Duet for 2 Percussion | # of Players: 2
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 6:30

Instrumentation
Player 1: Vibraphone, 4 Drums, Large Drum
Player 2: 4 Drums, Kick Drum, Sizzle Cymbal

Program Notes
False Summit was written for Kamilah Gobran and Tammy Fisher in honor of Kamilah’s Senior Percussion Recital at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. This is truly a “full-circle” moment for me: Kamilah – my former student, and Tammy – my former teacher.

The piece is inspired by my hiking adventures in Colorado. I spend much of my free time hiking in the tallest mountains known as “14ers” or 14,000+ feet above sea level. One of the most frustrating encounters is just when you think I’ve arrived at the top of a mountain peak you are disheartened to learn that there is actually a long way yet to travel. These false summits can be excruciating and often times demoralizing. I’ve tried to capture the process of hiking a mountain peak in this piece. It’s easy to begin adventures at a quick pace before falling into a “groove.” After a while, there is an internal struggle that occurs in which you have to convince yourself to keep moving – to persist. The actual summit can be hidden by the parts of the mountain directly in front of you as you climb higher. When you reach the false summits and realize where the true summit is located, you must continue with more determination than ever. The true summit is farther than it appears, yet closer than it feels. Finally, after several miles and thousands of feet of elevation gained, the mountain yields and you reach the true summit. There is no better feeling in the world.

– B.S.