Size: 11 Performers

Composed: 2019

Duration: ~6:01 minutes

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A Chance Encounter for 11 Percussionists

In the Winter of 2018 I was approached by long time friend and percussion colleague, Landon Ewers, to write a percussion ensemble piece for his percussionists at Byron Center High School in Byron Center, Michigan.  The ensemble had a diverse skillset with a heavy focus on marching percussion as well as African drumming styles.  I decided to write the piece in a similar fashion utilizing traditional instruments (Bells, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Marimba, etc.) as well as a small cohort of musicians that would switch from various snare drums to djembes to an assortment of auxiliary percussion instruments.  The title of the piece is derived from the beginning marimba motif which I stumbled upon in a practice session and fell in love with.  The entire piece fell into place as I expanded from that original motif.

A Chance Encounter was commissioned by Marc Townley (Music Director) and Landon Ewers (Percussion Director) for the Byron Center High School Percussion Ensemble.  The piece premiered on May 30, 2019 at their annual percussion ensemble concert.