Buss-Mysterious Exit-B/V/X/M/P/FL(PICC)

The title refers to the inexplicable disappearance of the 14th Century Sinagua Indians who inhabited an area in what is now the State of Arizona. This composition was inspired by the composer's visit to the Sinagua pueblo ruins and is a musical representation of how the Sinaguan culture graced the austere and forbidding landscape of the region. The central section of the piece exhibits some of the intriguing rhythmic asymmetry found in Hopi dance songs.

Number of Players: 5
Difficulty: Grade 5
Instrumentation:

Player I: Flute

Player II: Bells, 5 Temple Blocks, 2 Suspended Cymbals, Rattle, Wind Chimes

Player III: Marimba, Suspended Cymbal

Player IV: Xylophone, Suspended Cymbal

Player V: Vibraphone, Tom-Tom, Sleigh Bells, Rattle, 2 Suspended Cymbals, Bell Tree

Howard J. Buss (b. 1951) is recognized  internationally as a significant composer of contemporary classical music. His compositions have received critical acclaim and have been performed in more than 50 countries. His music is widely performed and frequently featured at national and international music conventions and festivals. They have been performed by faculty musicians from major universities as well as current and former members of prestigious organizations such as The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony,  Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, etc.   A copy of his patriotic composition Fanfares is included in the Presidential Collection of Ronald Reagan. Buss' more than 120 published works include instrumental solos, chamber music, symphonic, choral, and band works. They are fast becoming part of the standard repertoire in concert halls.