HYMNING (2016)
FOR SOLO MARIMBA
8 minutes
Program Notes
I grew up singing and playing hymns. I’m not particularly religious, but somehow they stuck with me. I love them for that. I love how they’ve always been there. How they never fail to reach me, to draw out some long forgotten feeling. They’re like an old friend: we don’t keep in touch so well, but every time we see each other we pick up right where we left off. My piece Hymning is like a daydream, a quiet stroll through hazy recollections of these tunes. I don’t think I quote anything specifically, rather it’s a sort of fantasy, an extended riff on little phrases that feel similar to probably hundreds of different tunes. After a long, meandering first section the music finds it’s way back to the beginning. On second look the tune takes a few unexpected turns. Digressions lead to wistful flourishes and unexpected tonal detours before returning once again to the opening idea. The piece ends, but I think there’s a sense it might still be going, quietly, barely heard, somewhere off in the distance. I can pick up this thread any time. It’s always there.
Hymning was commissioned by Michael Burritt and premiered November 11, 2016 at PASIC 2016, Indianapolis, IN.
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Recent Performances
April 29, 2024 Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Alex Snelling.
April 26, 2024 Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Alex Snelling.
April 13, 2024 IHSMA State Solo and Ensemble Competition, Des Moines, IA.
April 6, 2024 Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Maggie Hillock.
April 6, 2024 Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. Curtis Halbrook.
March 29, 2024 University of Texas, Arlington, TX. Dillon Lewis.
January 24, 2024 Arizona State University, DMA Recital, Tempe, AZ. Danny Barsetti-Nerland.
November 28, 2023 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Danny Barsetti-Nerland.
April 8, 2023 Washburn University, Topeka, KS. Cameron Arnold.
March 12, 2023 Eastern Washington University, Chenery, WA. Jon Fick.