Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 OMEA Conference, where the Licking Heights Middle School Wind Ensemble percussionists premiered my new piece, Echoes of the Red Planet. It was commissioned by percussion director, Shane Mathews, for this special performance.
Echoes of the Red Planet is a medium-easy percussion ensemble work that was written for a developing middle school ensemble, but is also entirely appropriate for the high school level. As in many of my pieces, the parts are quite individualized and present opportunities for students to play with independence and explore musical expression.
The piece is written for 9 players on a mix of drums and melodic instruments, and most of the parts give players the opportunity to play more than one instrument within their part. If an ensemble has more than 9 players, the Vibraphone part can easily be doubled (or tripled!) on additional melodic instruments.
The writing process of this piece was pretty unique compared to my usual creative process. At a time when there was a lot going on in my personal life, I had to decide within a few days whether I could commit to writing this piece. At one point, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling wide awake. The piece, almost in its entirety, was orbiting my mind.
The idea was there--I had it! The full piece. Should I get my computer out and type out the melody? I was afraid of losing it, so I decided to let it repeat over and over in my head. Eventually, I sat up and typed everything into my Notes app. The next day, I opened up Sibelius and transcribed those notes into music notation.
How amazing would it be if every piece came to me like this? This one felt unusually clear, as if the universe wanted it to exist and I happened to be the one to catch it and write it down. I hope you enjoy, Echoes of the Red Planet.
Program Notes:
Echoes of the Red Planet is a dynamic percussion ensemble work inspired by the mysterious forces of space and the shifting patterns of sound and motion. It features driving rhythms and layered soundscapes, inviting performers and listeners alike into its vibrant, interstellar world.
The piece opens and closes with explosive energy, framing a drifting, ethereal middle section filled with nuance and texture. Varying time signatures create a sense of instability and forward motion, mirroring gravity’s distorted pull.
Drawing on cosmic imagery and modern harmonic colors, Echoes of the Red Planet invites listeners to imagine forces that are steady yet fragmented, heavy yet weightless, familiar yet mysterious.
Echoes of the Red Planet can be purchased through these online stores:
Echoes of the Red Planet - Mo Longo Music (digital pdf download / physical copy)
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