Windowlight

A digital download of Windowlight (along with sample pages) is available in the Store

Program Notes

WIndowlight is a companion piece to my etude Night Light. It is, on one level, an etude for double vertical strokes (two mallets in one hand striking the marimba bars simultaneously instead of separately). But it is also a piece, like Night Light, that is a musical depiction of finding light in darkness. The feeling, both real and metaphorical, of being lost in the dark woods and then seeing a faint glow in the distance. A familiar light that draws you to safety, and warmth, and joy. To a place that feels like home.

Windowlight was commissioned by a consortium of percussion educators in Oklahoma.

Dr. Andrew Richardson, organizer – University of Oklahoma

Micheal Barnes – Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Dr. Tommy Dobbs – Oklahoma City University

Cameron Duncan – Oklahoma Baptist University

Dr. Nicholaus Meyers – East Central University

Clayton Peliti – Southern Nazarene University

Bill Repavich – University of Central Oklahoma

Performance Notes

I wrote this piece as an etude for double vertical strokes. At the same time, I tried to go beyond the technique to make it a piece of music that can be emotionally expressive. Work on those clean double verticals and interval changes. And make sure you really think about the perfect angle for all of the overlapping and interlocking hand positions. But don’t forget to find the music and let the piece bounce and flow and sing and breathe. I hope you have fun playing Windowlight! 

– Blake Tyson