Towards Something Better (Perc Ens 6)

Inspired by the harmonic beauty and rhythmic complexity of math rock bands, such as Chon and Mouse on the Keys, Towards Something Better encourages you to put the past behind you and to look to the future, knowing that life does get better.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 6
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 5:50

Instrumentation
Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone 1: 4 mallets, bass bow
Vibraphone 2: 4 mallets, bass bow
Percussion: Ride Cymbal, Mounted Kick Drum, Mounted Rock Tambourine, Parchment Paper
Marimba 1: 4.3-octave, 4 mallets
Marimba 2: 4.3-octave, 4 mallets, bass bow

Program Notes
I began working on Towards Something Better in the Fall of 2021. At the time I was listening to a lot of math rock bands such as Chon and Mouse on the Keys. I wanted to create a piece of music that paid homage to the harmonic beauty and rhythmic complexity of those bands and similar groups. To achieve this, there is a constant presence of 5 against 4 and other polyrhythms throughout the work while maintaining a strong modal center. However, I only wrote the first section of the piece in 2021. Years later, in 2025, I decided to revisit and finish the piece, at the urging of my teacher Dr. Dave Hall. The title came to me when I realized that I was much happier with myself as a composer, performer, and educator in the present, and this piece could serve as a message to my past self that it does, indeed, get better.

In the middle of the piece, the main motif of the piece begins to fall apart and a bonfire-like sound arises in the percussion part, while the main motif returns in a new key. This is meant to signify the past crumbling and a new life rising from the ashes. Every instrument used in this piece is something that can be found in most band halls across the country, making it an excellent choice for groups with limited instrumentation.

– C.T.