Nimbus (Perc Ens 14)

The work embarks on a journey through the skies and captures the many different feelings associated with clouds. There are the awe-inspiring sights to see, the bounciness and lightness of floating in the sky, and a storm that threatens to destroy. The goal, through this work, was to explore a new sound within the percussion orchestra. One that could be driving and intense, yet, still capture light and playful moments. A range of emotions and styles await within Nimbus. The only question is: “Are you ready for the journey?

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 14
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 10:00

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score *.5"x11" spiral bound)

Glockenspiel
Crotales (2 octaves)
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Xylophone
Marimba 1 (5 or 4.3-octave)
Marimba 2 (5 or 4.3-octave)
Marimba 3 (5-octave)
Marimba 4 (5-octave)
Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Concert Snare Drum, Ride Cymbal, 2 Triangles, Bell Tree, Caxixi, Log Drum (2 pitches)
Percussion 2: 4 Concert Toms, Hi-Hat, Suspended Cymbal, Finger Cymbals
Percussion 3: Suspended Cymbal, Cabasa, Splash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Wind Chimes, Tam-Tam
Percussion 4: Concert Bass Drum, Sleigh Bells, Rainstick

Program Notes
Nimbus was a simple improvisation on glockenspiel that grew into something much bigger. The work embarks on a journey through the skies and captures many different feelings associated with clouds. There are the awe-inspiring sights to see, the bounciness and lightness of floating in the sky, and a storm that threatens to destroy. The majority of this work is rooted in a warm C major chord that captures the beauty and simplicity of a cloud. But the work has no problem straying away in unique ways to make returning to C major so rewarding. The goal, through this work, was to explore a new sound within the percussion orchestra. One that could be driving and intense, yet, still capture light and playful moments. A range of emotions and styles await within Nimbus. The only question is: “Are you ready for the journey?”

TCU Percussion Orchestra