Revenant

Revenant means someone or something that returns after a long period of absence or death. I attempted to capture this through a recurring motive in the upper metallic instruments, which has divine implications. It is eventually distorted and derails the entire ensemble by the xylophone in the section at letter H. This represents destructive social and agenda-driven messaging disguised as progress, which often distort the truth and influence those with the best of intentions until things are unrecognizable. This also parallels the Celebrant’s crumble described above. Despite distortions and things being “broken” the revenant motive prevails and offers redemption. Just as Bernstein stated in regards to MASS, the goal is to communicate a universal reaffirmation of faith.

Revenant was commissioned by the Texas Christian University Percussion Orchestra (Dr. Brian West, director) for their showcase concert as winners of the 2022 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition. It was premiered by TCU at PASIC 2022.