by Sarah Santa Cruz
15 players
Instrumentation: 2 trombones, 2 bass trombones, 2 euphoniums, 2 tubas, Crotales, Glockenspiel, 3 vibraphones, 3 marimbas—(1) 4-octave, (1) low A, (1) low C*, Drums (2 bass drums, 6 toms, snare drum), Cymbals (4 suspended cymbal, crash cymbals), Tam tam
*Optional low C
Meant to be a musical representation of the many colorful images one would experience along a flight to an unknown destination, Sky Music uses an accompanying low-brass octet to provide a warm background and additional melodic depth to the seven-member percussion group that carries the overall ensemble. This unique instrumentation is one of the numerous contradictory elements of this diverse piece. Others include soaring lines and rooted ones, frenetic figures and calm ones, and lush lines and stark ones. Together, this variety allows for personal interpretations as varied as the sky.
Sky Music comes as a full, bound score and includes a CD-ROM containing individual parts and a recording.
