The Rattlesnake

The Rattlesnake — flute, Bb trumpet, percussion (timpani, vibraphone, snare drum, tam-tams, vibraslap), harp, string quartet | 7:00 | composed in February of 2026 | premiered in April 2026 at the Musical Arts Center

This piece was written in collaboration with the Indiana University dance department as part of the spring ballet. In this scene, the main character, Sami, encounters a snake in the desert that teaches them the importance of patience. The flute, active and fluttering with energy, sonifies Sami, while the trumpet, slow and deliberate with its lines, and slowly metamorphosing its tone across the piece, sonifies the snake. Over the course of the piece, the flute, learning from the trumpet, slowly comes into agreement with its partner and blossoms into a harmonious duet.