11/04/2025
I wrote this ("Alley's Spring Storm") ten years ago for a friend that presented a session either at TMEA or TBA featuring all of the trap instruments, (tambourine, temple blocks, wood blocks, cowbells, cymbals, bass drum, chimes, etc.)
I wanted to show a spring storm on its way. It started with a gentle breeze through rolled suspended cymbals and gongs while different grandfather clocks keep time. Chimes let you know what time it was. Listen and you'll know.
The wind picks up (more cymbals and gongs) before the crack of lightning and thunder foreshadows the beginning of Tornado "Alley's" high winds starts tossing debris around and lots of it.
Finally the wind calm down but not before hearing the damage. The grandfather clocks don't keep good time. One chime note is just not right. The wind continues to die down with decrescendo of the rolling cymbals and gong finally to fade away, leaving the destruction behind.
Percussion ensemble written by Todd Ukena. Premiered at John Hinojosa's TBA clinic in San Antonio July 28, 2014. From left to right, performers are: Lou B...
