Sunward/Onward

Sunward/Onward is a galop-style keyboard percussion sextet with three optional percussion dedicated to Dr. John Baldwin on the occasion of his retirement from Boise State University after 50 years of teaching. The piece draws inspiration from the poem “My Triumph” by John Greenleaf Whittier, which truly captures the essence of passing the torch.

Program Notes

Commissioned by former members of the Boise Philharmonic Percussion Section, Sunward/Onward is a keyboard percussion sextet dedicated to Dr. John Baldwin on the occasion of his retirement from Boise State University after 50 years of teaching. The piece draws inspiration from the poem “My Triumph” by John Greenleaf Whittier, which truly captures the essence of passing the torch.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2022
Number of Players: 6-9
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Percussion

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Instrumentation

Bells + Xylophone
Vibraphone 1*
Vibraphone 2 * + Chimes
Marimba 1 [4-octave]#
Marimba 2 [4-octave]
Marimba 3 [5-octave}#

Percussion 1 [optional]
Hi-Hat, Ride Cymbal, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, 3 Concert Toms

Percussion 2 [optional]
Slapstick, Tambourine, Woodblock

Percussion 3 [optional]
Concert Bass Drum, Egg Shaker, Woodblock [shared with Percussion 2]

* Vibraphone 1 and 2 may share one instrument. Pedaling is marked in both parts, so it may be controlled by the right foot of Player 2 or the left foot of Player 1.

# Marimba 1 and 3 may share one 5-octave instrument. An optional 4.3-octave version of the Marimba 3 part is included.