The Dreamers of Dreams

General Info

Year: 2013
Duration: 00:09:30
Difficulty: Advanced
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Commission: Mt. Lebanon Percussion Program & Rick Minnotte
Cost: $60.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel / Crotales & Low Drum
Player 2: Xylophone / Chimes & Low Drum
Player 3: Vibraphone 1 & Low Drum
Player 4: Vibraphone 2 & Low Drum
Player 5: Marimba 1 & Low Drum
Player 6: Marimba 2 & Low Drum
Player 7: Marimba 3 & Low Drum
Player 8: Marimba 4 & Low Drum
Player 9: Timpani & Sizzle Cymbal
Player 10: Bell Tree & Mark Tree & Bongos & Congas & Suspended Cymbal & China Cymbal
Player 11: Snare Drum & 4 Concert Tom-toms & Suspended Cymbal & Ride Cymbal
Player 12: Concert Bass Drum & Tam-tam & 4 Log Drums & Temple Block

Program Notes

The Dreamers of Dreams was commissioned by Rick Minnotte and the Mt. Lebanon Percussion Program in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the program. I first met Rick in April of 2008 when I caught wind that his ensemble was going to perform my piece “Limerick Daydreams.” I traveled up to Mt. Lebanon PA, rehearsed the ensemble, and we have been as thick as thieves since then. When we were talking about the possibility of this commission, Rick simply said he wanted something celebratory for 10-12 players between 7 & 8 minutes long. I am not typically one to jump into composing a piece until I have a firm grasp of the “theme” of the work – not in the musical sense, but rather some kind of extra-musical inspiration/influence.

In this case, the piece was inspired by a poem by Arthur O’Shaughnessy simply titled “Ode.” The first line of the poem has even found its way into pop culture with a brief quote by the original Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder. I think the essence of the poem perfectly captures the idea of celebrating a percussion program such as Mt. Lebanon that has been built from the ground up – not just by one person, but by its administration, staff, parents, and students. Here are some quotes that I found to be the most compelling and appropriate.

Review

Errata

Awards

Commercial Discography

Online Recordings

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Mallet Ensemble

Immortal Dream - Mallet Septet
Spun - Mallet Octet
A Yuletide Celebration
Azul

Small Ensemble

Almost Beyond
Blaze - Percussion Septet
Black Rainbow - Percussion Octet
Ellipsis - Percussion Octet
Fever Dream - Percussion Quartet
Fidget - Percussion Octet
Lost Souls - Percussion Quintet
Mercury Rising - Percussion Septet
Power Struggle - Percussion Octet
StarDancer - Percussion Octet
Sunward/Onward - Percussion Nonet

Medium Ensemble

Adaptation - Percussion (11)
Chasing Infinity- Percussion Ensemble (13)
Edge of the World - Percussion Ensemble (10)
Firefly (Nathan Daughtrey) - Percussion Ensemble (12)
Jötenheim - Percussion (13)
Legacies - Percussion Ensemble (10)
Limerick Daydream - Percussion Ensemble (10)
Luminescence - Percussion Ensemble (12)
The Cry - Percussion Ensemble (12)
The Dreamers of Dreams - Percussion Ensemble (12)
Till the Stars Come Down - Percussion Ensemble (10)
Topsy Turvy - Percussion Ensemble (12)
What Lies Within - Percussion Ensemble (10)

Large Ensemble

DrakenVuur - Percussion Ensemble 20+
Luna, Luna - Percussion (15)
The Heroes Around Us - Percussion (16)

Percussion Concerto

Percussion Ensemble with Other Instrument

As Above, So Below - Percussion Ensemble (12) with Piano
Bounce - Percussion Ensemble (12) with Solo Trumpet
Coming Home - Percussion Quintet with Solo Euphonium
Spitfire II - Percussion Nonet with Solo Euphonium
Twitch - Percussion Ensemble (11) with Solo Clarinet
The Wexford Carol - Percussion Nonet with Solo Soprano Saxophone

Books for Percussion by this Composer

Marimba

The Yuletide Marimbist (Book 1)
The Yuletide Marimbist (Book 2)
The Sacred Marimbist (Volume 2)

Xylophone

The Celtic Xylophone, Book 1
The Celtic Xylophone, Book 2

Additional Resources

References