Personnel

Program

Program Notes

Perspectives: III. Derivative | Jlin

Perspective by Jlin (Jerrilynn Patton) is a seven-movement work created for Third Coast Percussion through a highly collaborative process. Jlin, a producer and composer based in Gary, Indiana, is known for her unique electronic style rooted in Chicago footwork, with influences ranging from Nina Simone to Igor Stravinsky.

To create Perspective, Jlin sampled sounds from Third Coast Percussion’s vast collection and combined them with her own library to craft intricate tracks in FL Studio. The ensemble then reimagined these tracks for live performance, uncovering complex patterns, layered timbres, and unconventional sounds. The work’s title reflects this interplay of perspectives—electronic and acoustic—brought together in a dynamic exploration of sound.

Perspective was commissioned for Third Coast Percussion by the Boulanger Initiative, Carnegie Hall, and other supporting organizations.

Watercolor Sun | Ivan Treviño

Watercolor Sun was commissioned by the Grammy Award winning ensemble, Third Coast Percussion. It was written for the quartet to perform on one single 4.3 octave marimba. I’ve been friends with the members of Third Coast for many years, and have watched them from afar with much admiration. It brings me great joy to write music for them.

There are moments in life that create a feeling I can’t quite describe. Like waking up in a sunlight room, or sharing a meal with old friends, or going on a road trip with someone you love. There’s a jovial, euphoric feeling to it. I feel it when I catch the sunrise with my family, and I feel it when I play music too. Maybe it is gratitude, or peace, or something in between. Whatever this feeling is, it is at the heart of Watercolor Sun. – IT

Not Far From Here | Blake Tyson

Not Far From Here began as a deeply personal work, written for Jesse Milam, a student whose mother was battling brain cancer. Commissioned as a gift from Jesse’s friends, the piece was also an opportunity to support the community, with the commissioning funds going to a local food bank in Ada, Oklahoma. Written during a time of hardship, the piece reflects the idea that the love and influence of those we lose live on through the lives they’ve touched.

Later, Dr. John W. Parks IV commissioned an ensemble arrangement of the piece in memory of Brandon Wood. This new version incorporates musical elements built from the letters of Brandon’s name, adding a deeply personal connection to the work. It concludes with an “Amen cadence,” chosen to reflect Brandon’s unwavering faith, symbolizing hope, faith, and acceptance. Through this heartfelt arrangement, the piece honors both the memory of loved ones and the enduring impact of their lives on others.

Inferno | Steven Wimberley

Inferno for solo marimba and percussion ensemble was written for my dear friend Donald Myers, his colleagues, and his students at Mineola High School in Mineola, Texas. This work was commissioned by the Mineola High School Band for their 2024 TMEA honor band showcase performance. The musical material for this piece was taken largely from Dante’s Inferno. There are rhythmic and melodic spellings of references to Dante’s work that serve as the main themes for this piece. One example of this is the pieces’ namesake, “Inferno”, which is represented in a pitch spelling of Bb, Gb, F, Eb, D, Gb, and A. A large majority of this piece follows and is constructed around this unique collection of notes. This version of the work is for a reduced ensemble size. This reduction was made for Dr. Oliver Molina.

Fuerza Negra | Francisco Perez

The term “fuerza negra” has a variety of meanings in Spanish, two of which served as inspirations for Fuerza Negra. In addition to being used as a direct translation for the commissioning ensemble’s school mascot, the Northwestern State University Demons, another translation— “Black strength and energy”—also serves as the root of inspiration for this work as a humble tribute and show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. – FP