A Ceiling Full of Stars

A Ceiling Full of Stars by Blake Tyson.
Performed by the University of Central Arkansas Percussion Ensemble.

A Ceiling Full of Stars was commissioned by the Texas Christian University Percussion Ensemble and its director, Dr. Brian West. It was premiered by the TCU Percussion Ensemble on April 7th, 2009.

When I was young, my dad and I found something incredible at the toy store. We took home a small planetarium made of yellow and black plastic and suddenly I could power an entire universe with just a couple of batteries. Moon landings were a recent memory and the space shuttle was just around the corner. Star Wars was in theaters and shows like Battlestar Gallactica and Space:1999 were on TV. It was impossible to avoid an obsession with outer space. Looking back, it is hard to believe that those shows were so short lived and that I probably saw Star Wars only once. With my planetarium creating a ceiling full of stars above me I was able to live out my own adventures every night, flying my spaceships though the galaxy, exploring new worlds, and getting into some pretty serious battles with stormtroopers and Cylon warriors.

A Ceiling Full of Stars is a journey through space as seen through the eyes of a child. There is a sense of wonder and amazement. There are struggles to break free of unseen forces and there are moments of weightlessness. A sense of speed simmers beneath a slowly moving surface, depicting the awe-inspiring infinity of space.

A Ceiling Full of Stars is dedicated to my parents who fostered my imagination, inspired my curiosity, and made everything possible.

For more information, visit www.blaketyson.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Percussion
• ensemble
• marimba
• vibraphone
• keyboard
• mallets
• Blake
• Tyson
• University
• of
• Central
• Arkansas
• UCA
• TCU
• cricket sang and set the sun

[222UTfan]

We are playing this for our marching show!! well part of it! Our director works with the guy that made this song it is soo cool sounding!!

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@222UTfan Hi. Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you like the piece. Are you one of Jeff Ausdemore's students at Colleyville Heritage High School?

[drew0493]

i played in the Little Rock Wind Symphony with the girl playing marimba on the right.

at least i think that's her.. haha

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@drew0493 Yes, that is Veronika and she played for a number of years with the LRWS while she was in school at UCA. She just graduated and headed home to Germany, so it looks like her days with the LRWS have come to an end.

[jlanealex]

Fantastic! The ensemble sounds great!!

[resonantmettle]

Blake Tyson is one of the best composers to come along in many years. If you haven't checked out the rest of his catalogue, do it. Refreshing, modern-sounding, PLAYABLE music with a clear compositional pedigree. 

Thanks for posting, Blake!

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@zade2121 Thanks! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@xbrokengearsx Thanks! Is your high school's percussion ensemble playing the piece?

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@seshysama You must be at North Gwinnett High School? I'm really looking forward to my visit there and having the opportunity to work with all of you. I hope you're enjoying working on the piece.

[seshysama]

I get to play this piece alongside Blake Tyson in January. Im so excited :D

[BlakeTysonMusic]

@taylorbrinneman This piece only requires one 5 octave marimba. Most of that part will fit on a low F instrument, but there are a few Eb's and Db's in the low octave.

I'm glad to hear that you're interested in the piece. Please let me know if any performances come about.

[taylorbrinneman]

Just wondering how many 5 octave marimbas this piece requires? This is definitely on my to do list!