Night of Mourning

A play on the words "night and "morning," this unique piece invites the marimbist to sing while playing the instrument, emphasizing the mournful mood set forth toward the middle.

Program Notes

Night of Mourning was the first composition that I wrote for marimba and voice. I had just come home from traveling abroad for three months during the spring of 2004—centrally located in London while traveling Europe. I borrowed a marimba during the following summer and immersed myself in playing and composing. Being a vocalist as well, I began singing the main melody of the marimba part while playing. The combination worked well and I incorporated the idea of vocalization into the composition. While the title of this work may be interpreted as a play on the words “night” and “morning,” it also was inspired by the emptiness that was experienced while I was away from close family and friends.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2011
Number of Players: 1
Duration: 4:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Solo Works

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Marimba (4.5-octave, optional 4.3-octave)
Voice
*Played and sung by one person