Decisions by Anders Åstrand is a piece for percussion trio. It was commissioned by Kieko Kotoku for a tour in Japan. It was premiered in Tokyo in June of 2004.
Kvart I Fyra by Anders Åstrand is a percussion ensemble piece for 18 or more players. It was commissioned by James Campbell for the University of Kentucky Percussion Ensemble and it was premiered at 2004 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Nashville, TN. The set up is for four choirs of instruments: steel pans, metal keyboards, wooden keyboards, and orchestra percussion.
The Dance of Wind by Robert McClure is for percussion ensemble. The piece is composed of seven sections. Each section portrays a different mood and atmosphere. These sections represent the change that the wind or a simple breeze will take in the course of minutes and how this change affects everything in its path. The Dance of Wind was premiered by the BGSU Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Roger Schupp on April, 18 2006 in Kobacker Hall.
Preludes by Robert McClure for solo marimba is dedicated to a member of the Bowling Green State University Percussion Studio that Mr. McClure knew well while he was also a member. The prelude is characteristic of the percussionist to whom it is dedicated. Each prelude is highly independent of the others. As a result, they can be performed separately, in any combination, or as a whole.
Prelude I is a very rhythmic piece based on several ostinati patterns. It is filled syncopated rhythms and surprise pauses.
Prelude II begins with an altered chorale form. Instead of rolling, the "chorale" is made up of 16th notes played very fast and quietly. The notes falling on the beat should not be accented or stand out. Overall, this should sound like a wash of sound. It requires that the performer be very comfortable with the two different 16th note patterns used.
Prelude III is a fast, ever changing race through dissonance. The piece is loosely based on octatonic scales. Two main motives provide the structure for this movement. This prelude is rhythmic and syncopated in nature.
Prelude IV is a chorale for marimba.
Prelude V is loosely based on the theme and variations form. The melodic content that reappears is presented in the left hand of the performer as a bass line. This movement relies heavily on the right and left hand being completely independent from the other.
…folded… by Brian Nozny for solo marimba and percussion ensemble can be looked at as a piece of loose leaf paper folded upon itself at random. Areas of the material – corners – lines – edges - are now layered on top of one another in what seems like chaos and disarray. And yet there is still an order to the chaos. All of the lines are straight, the material is still clean and unmarked, and if unfolded, the piece of paper is still complete, though now marred by its shaping. It was commissioned by James Campbell for the University of Kentucky Percussion Ensemble's 2007 PASIC Showcase Concert in Columbus, OH.
ExitIX Novum by Peter Saleh is a percussion quintet created from a few distinct sources with its genesis being in one of the counter lines composed for an arrangement for percussion ensemble of Dajeong Choi's "Lift Up My Hands to You", Another source is the percussion music of Bob Becker, in particular, his invention of the 'prepared tenor drum', as an attempt to approximate the aesthetic of tabla for the snare drummer. A primary source of pitch material is the three chameleon-like octatonic scales. The tertian and other chordal relationships of the scale, specifically using traditional voice leading to slide between major and minor triads are explored. Also, the appreciation for and fascination with the rhythmic processes of South Indian music provided a rhythmic 'hook' that helped the composer find real creative purpose with the piece. ExitIX Novum received the second place award in the 2007 PAS 'Medium Percussion Ensemble' competition contest.