CHRISTIAN KILGORE AUTUMN MORNING
Autumn Morning by Christian Kilgore © 2026 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
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PROGRAM NOTES
This work, like most of my compositions, began with my humming a simple melody in my car on an early autumn morning. My crude singing would eventually become the main theme (which begins in measure 8) and the foundation of the entire piece. As I began moving it to the vibraphone, I quickly fell in love with this groove, and I loved how much freedom I had on the upper half of the keyboard. The tune is intended to serve players at all different levels. Most intermediate percussionists can play and enjoy the main theme, while advanced performers can truly make the piece their own through the optional solo or improvisation sections. No matter your skill level, I hope you can have a little fun with Autumn Morning
Special thanks go to Brian Mueller for pushing this work to its fullest potential; William and Ora Kilgore for supporting me in pursuing my dreams; Hannah Kilgore for never doubting me; and Leonhard Waltersdorfer, Brian Mueller, and Chad Floyd for amazing music that inspires.
—Christian Kilgore
PERFORMANCE NOTES
There are three options when you reach the D.S. al Coda:
1. Return to m. 9 and play the work as written until “To Coda,” then jump to the Coda on the last page.
2. Play the IMPROVISATION CHART — Follow the provided chart until “To Coda.” Then jump to the Coda on the last page.
• When performing this version, you may begin improvising in m. 24—anything in the key of D Major sounds great!
• Try to keep the written groove incorporated throughout, deviating only occasionally if desired.
3. Play the OPTIONAL SOLO — Play as written until “To Coda.” Then jump to the Coda on the last page.
All three options end by playing the CODA (final page of music) as written. The work should end by letting all the notes in m. 112 ring until they naturally decay while dampening the notes marked with an “x”.
