Infinity Mirror (Pitched Percussion Quartet)

Infinity Mirror is a quartet for pitched percussion that explores the concept of reflection through the imagery of mirrors facing each other. Over the course of five minutes, the piece delves into two distinct representations of light, both as a particle and as a wave. Four quartet configurations are recommended—steel pan quartet, marimba quartet, vibraphone/marimba quartet, and mixed quartet.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 4
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 5:15

Instrumentation
Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)

Player 1: Tenor Pan (or Vibraphone or 4-octave Marimba)
Player 2: Tenor Pan (or Vibraphone or 4-octave Marimba)
Player 3: Double Seconds (or Vibraphone or 4-octave Marimba)
Player 4: Triple Guitars (or 4.3-octave Marimba)

Program Notes
Infinity Mirror explores the concept of reflection through the imagery of mirrors facing each other. Over the course of five minutes, the piece delves into two distinct representations of light, both as a particle and as a wave.

The first section depicts light as a particle, with the music reflecting its qualities of movement and dispersion. This is represented by a pulsing, almost pointillistic chorale in which each musician independently shapes their own crescendo and diminuendo. The result is a wave-like effect, with the volume fluctuating, as if you slowed down light and were watching it move in super-slow motion.

The second section shifts focus to light as it behaves in real time, as a wave, bouncing between two mirrors. With a faster, 16th-note pulse, this section reflects the illusion of infinite depth, as light seemingly travels back and forth endlessly. Musically, this effect is created through a canon between Players 1 and 2, whose mirrored parts represent the infinite reflection. Meanwhile, the other two musicians play slower, “white-note” rhythms (whole notes and half notes), evoking the steady reflections off the mirrors. Player 1 takes a solo that captures the playful and lighthearted character of this section before rejoining the ensemble for the transition to the final section.

The piece winds down in a combination of both previous sections playing simultaneously, symbolizing the coexistence of the two representations of light—particle and wave—blurring the boundaries between the two concepts.

Infinity Mirror, in its original instrumentation, was my first composition for steel pans. Writing this piece was a significant step outside of my comfort zone. After only a few weeks of playing the instrument during my final semester of graduate school in 2019, I finally felt it was time to take on the challenge of writing for steel pans in a way that pushed my creative boundaries. It was composed for Michael Corts and the Blue Star Steel Band at Oklahoma City University. It received its world premiere on April 12, 2025.