Campbell, M.-Cosmic Lighthouse (SP)-2V/C/Cro./2M/3-4T/P

Inspired by a photo posted on NASA’s social media accounts, Cosmic Lighthouse uses spatialization to explore the beauty of pulsars in space by placing three percussionists playing metallic instruments around the audience. Each of these musicians use different types of mallets to play chimes suspended on cymbal stands, individual crotales, and metal pipes to provide sonic representations of these pulsars. This spatial element, combined with rich extended harmonies and canonical rhythms in stage ensemble, creates a musical experience that’s both fun to play and listen to.

Additional Information:

• Number of Players: 9
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Instrumentation:
• Player 1: Vibraphone 1, sizzle cymbal
• Player 2: Vibraphone 2, medium suspended cymbal
• Player 3: Marimba 1 (4.3 octave)
• Player 4: Marimba 2 (4.3 octave)
• Player 5: Timpani: (3 or 4 drums), large suspended cymbal
• Player 6: Piano (optional, but preferred)
• Player 7 (audience left): Chimes (low E-flat, high C), metal pipes (low G, A), low crotales (C-sharp, F-sharp)
• Player 8 (audience right): Chimes (low C, high E-flat), metal pipes (low G, A), low crotales (E, B)
• Player 9 (audience back): Chimes (G, B-flat), metal pipe (D), low crotales (G, A)