All Green Lights

“All Green Lights” is a funky duo for two percussionists, about 41⁄2 minutes in length. The piece calls for a small and compact setup, with two shared instruments, making it accessible to performers who lack a large rehearsal space or the resources of a university percussion program.

The composer produces a feeling of forward motion with constant sixteenth notes throughout the work, often using the hi-hat as the focal point of timing. There is a regular emphasis on the second subdivision of each beat, creating an interesting, syncopated feel that is a defining characteristic of the piece. The music travels through multiple sections of increasing tempi, during which the players develop the thematic material in varying textures within the constant syncopated groove.

“All Green Lights” is a fun and accessible duo for percussionists. While it requires a strong sense of time from the players, the technical challenges are not overwhelming. It should be a good fit for strong high school drummers and university students.

—Marco Schirripa
Percussive Notes
Vol. 61, No. 4, August 2023