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Set sail on an adventurous voyage with Red Sky, a thematic percussion ensemble by Alan Keown. Created for an 8-player ensemble with a medium skill level, this piece transports you into an unpredictable narrative between the elements and those who brave the open waters.
Red Sky is comprised of three connected movements: morning/the trip out of the harbor, the storm, and the trip back. Each section features unique musical elements that will engage students. From the serene and cinematic opening and jaunty 6/8 jig, to the aggressive full ensemble drumming section, this is a piece that students will be thrilled to rehearse and perform.
While the piece requires a number of unique instruments, such as a ship's bell and ocean drum, the overall footprint of the ensemble is relatively small, perfect for a small chamber ensemble or percussion ensemble concerts.
Red Sky ships as a printed, professionally bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Vibraphone
2 Marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) low A
Drums — concert bass drum, concert snare drum, 2 congas (high/low), 3 concert toms (high/medium/low)
Cymbals & gongs — 2 China cymbals, 5 suspended cymbals
Accessories — mark tree, ocean drum, ratchet, 1 (or 2) ship’s bell (or Zil-bel or similar), tambourine, triangle, woodblock
“Red Sky” is for eight players of medium skill level and is based on the “unpredictable narrative between the elements and those who brave the open waters.” The piece consists of three connected movements: morning/the trip out of the harbor, the storm, and the trip back. Each section features unique musical elements that will engage students. From the serene and cinematic opening and jaunty 6/8 jig, to the aggressive full ensemble drumming section, this is a piece that students will be thrilled to rehearse and perform.”
“Red Sky” strikes the perfect pedagogical balance between content and length, allowing students to perform something that involves a lot of focus and attention to detail without needing to commit to a long and difficult piece. The first and third movements are short but very effective, and the middle drumming movement is intense without being overwhelming.
This is the ideal piece to involve students in more serious chamber music without the commitment to a difficult piece that is maybe not the most relatable — perfect to take the next step with intermediate players.
—Joe Millea
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 1, February 2024
Set sail on an adventurous voyage with Red Sky, a thematic percussion ensemble by Alan Keown. Created for an 8-player ensemble with a medium skill level, this piece transports you into an unpredictable narrative between the elements and those who brave the open waters.
Red Sky is comprised of three connected movements: morning/the trip out of the harbor, the storm, and the trip back. Each section features unique musical elements that will engage students. From the serene and cinematic opening and jaunty 6/8 jig, to the aggressive full ensemble drumming section, this is a piece that students will be thrilled to rehearse and perform.
While the piece requires a number of unique instruments, such as a ship's bell and ocean drum, the overall footprint of the ensemble is relatively small, perfect for a small chamber ensemble or percussion ensemble concerts.
Red Sky ships as a printed, professionally bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Vibraphone
2 Marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) low A
Drums — concert bass drum, concert snare drum, 2 congas (high/low), 3 concert toms (high/medium/low)
Cymbals & gongs — 2 China cymbals, 5 suspended cymbals
Accessories — mark tree, ocean drum, ratchet, 1 (or 2) ship’s bell (or Zil-bel or similar), tambourine, triangle, woodblock
“Red Sky” is for eight players of medium skill level and is based on the “unpredictable narrative between the elements and those who brave the open waters.” The piece consists of three connected movements: morning/the trip out of the harbor, the storm, and the trip back. Each section features unique musical elements that will engage students. From the serene and cinematic opening and jaunty 6/8 jig, to the aggressive full ensemble drumming section, this is a piece that students will be thrilled to rehearse and perform.”
“Red Sky” strikes the perfect pedagogical balance between content and length, allowing students to perform something that involves a lot of focus and attention to detail without needing to commit to a long and difficult piece. The first and third movements are short but very effective, and the middle drumming movement is intense without being overwhelming.
This is the ideal piece to involve students in more serious chamber music without the commitment to a difficult piece that is maybe not the most relatable — perfect to take the next step with intermediate players.
—Joe Millea
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 1, February 2024
