White Feather

John Psathas

General Info

Year of Published: 2018
Publisher: Title Publisher
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:10:00
Cost: Score and Parts - $160.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: Vibraphone 1 (motor used)
Player 2: Vibraphone 2 (motor used)
Player 3: Steel Drums (double tenor) & Suspended Cymbal & Finger Cymbal
Player 4: Marimba 1 + Ewe Cowbell/Almglocken (Bb3, C#4, G4)
Player 5: Marimba 2 & Shekere
Player 6: Marimba 3 & Shekere
Player 7: Marimba 4
Player 8: Marimba 1 (bottom) & Glockenspiel & Shaker
Player 9: Marimba 2 (bottom) + Ewe Cowbell/Almglocken (Ab1, Bb3, C#4, G4)
Player 10: Steel Drums (tenor-bass) & Chimes & Shekere
Player 11: Timpani
Player 12: Roto Toms (High) & Kick Drum & Chimes (shared )
Player 13: Floor Tom & Low Gong (tuned to ‘C’)

Program Notes

White Feather was commissioned by the Texas Christian University Percussion Orchestra at the instigation of Professor Brian A. West. The first performance of the work was given at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on the 27th of October 2019. The title of this work refers to what is often considered the most common angel feather. I had originally intended to title the work ‘our ever-loving ghosts’. When I imagine angels, I think of the loved ones I’ve lost, still around me, somehow. Transmitting love and care. Supposedly, a sign our angels are with us is finding a feather. Coming across a feather in your path, or finding one in an unexpected place is thought to be a message from the angels. Specifically, the white feather is thought to be a sign of faith and protection. It can also be an angel telling you that your loved ones are safe and well. It is said our angels are always near us, looking over us and protecting us, yet we very rarely know that they are there. Sometimes, in the midst of our rapidly-paced living, they'll send us small signs and signals to let us know they're near, and will always be there for us (until we are ’there’ for others).These signs can be anything from a subtle flash of light, a rainbow, or an unexpected, sudden feeling of love and warmth within.

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Small Percussion Ensemble Works

4BY4 - Percussion Quartet
Aegean - Percussion Quartet
Corybas - Percussion Quintet
Cloud Folk - Percussion Octet; Piano
Kyoto - Percussion Quintet
Matre's Dance - Percussion Quartet

Large Percussion Ensemble Works

Planet Damnation for Percussion Ensemble - Solo Timpani + 12 Players
White Feather - 13 Players