Locke-Thundersnow (SP)-B/3V/C/Cro./X/3M/4T/P/PN/opt. synth.

Thundersnow by Miles Locke is large-scale, energetic work for percussion ensemble based on a rare weather phenomenon whereby snow replaces rain as the primary precipitation in a thunderstorm. The characteristics of such an event are sonically represented by drums and cymbals for thunder, and metallics and melodic instruments for snow.

The piece is scored with flexibility in mind, accommodating a wide range of player experience levels and may be performed with as few as 18 players and as many as 24 or more. When a full complement of players is possible, antiphonal parts for impact drums positioned strategically around the audience create a fully immersive “surround sound” experience during key moments.

Thundersnow ships as a fully bound score (11” x 14”) and includes individual parts in PDF format for either printing or tablet viewing.

Additional Information:

• Number of players: 18-24
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Instrumentation:
• Player 1: Glockenspiel (1 or 2 players), opt. thunder tube*
• Player 2: Crotales (2 octaves), opt. thunder tube*
• Player 3: Chimes, opt. whirly tube* (F-natural), opt. thunder tube*
• Player 4: Vibraphone 1, opt. thunder tube*
• Player 5: Vibraphone 2
• Player 6: Vibraphone 3
• Player 7: Xylophone, thunder tube
• Player 8: Marimba 1 (shared w/Player 11), medium high tom, opt. tuned wine glass (D-flat)
• Player 9: Marimba 2 (4.3 octave), medium tom, opt. tuned wine glass (F)
• Player 10: Marimba 3 (4.5 octave), medium tom, opt. tuned wine glass (C)
• Player 11: Marimba 4 (5 octave), medium tom, opt. tuned wine glasses (G, A-flat, B-flat)
• Player 12: 4 or 5 Timpani
• Player 13: Piano
• Player 14: Synthesizer (opt.)
• Player 15: Drumset, opt. marching snare drum
• Player 16: Medium tom, tam-tam (share w/Player 9), 2 tambourines (orchestral and headless), 3 triangles, garden weasels (may sub triangle)
• Player 17: Mark tree, slapstick, sleigh bells, woodblock, suspended cymbal, concert bass drum 2 (opt.), China cymbal (opt.)
• Player 18: 3 toms, bell tree (opt.)
• Player 19: Concert bass drum, tam-tam, opt. whirly tube* (G-natural)
• Player 20 (opt.): Bass/impact drums, whirly tubes (F-natural and G-natural)

*used only if Player 20 part is not covered