BRIAN BLUME PATHFINDER
Pathfinder by Brian Blume © 2025 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
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TSPCE25-021
PROGRAM NOTES
Exploring new lands, seas, or even worlds beyond the earth takes great courage and resolve. Roadblocks, dead ends, and innumerable challenges threaten to halt the journey of an explorer. But a true Pathfinder finds (or creates) a path forward.
This ensemble work for 11–13 players considers different parts of a pathfinder’s exploration: the preparation and buildup, setting off into the unknown, the joys and beauty of experiencing new places, and pushing through adversity toward a goal. Pathfinder is the perfect piece to challenge your students to strengthen their resolve to overcome challenges while appreciating the joyful moments of making music together.
—Brian Blume
PERFORMANCE NOTES
The triangle and woodblock parts are optional.
Keyboard parts may be doubled in order to include more players.
Only three timpani are required (32”, 29”, 26”). A few Fs on the 23” drum are included in the music, but they are optional if that drum is unavailable.
Pay attention to notes that are dampened (staccato) in the glockenspiel, vibraphone, triangle, cymbals, and bass drum. Unless a staccato marking is present, assume the instrument should ring. At letters C and D, the triangle should play those staccato notes while dampening the triangle and then let the non-staccato notes ring as normal.
PLAYERS AND INSTRUMENTATION
Pathfinder requires 11–13 players with the following instrumentation:
1. Glockenspiel
2. Xylophone
3. Vibraphone
4. Marimba 1 (share w/ M2)
5. Marimba 2 (low A)
6. 3 or 4 Timpani (32”, 29”, 26”, opt. 23”)
7. Triangle*
8. Tambourine
9. 2 Woodblocks* (high, low)
10. Cymbals — hand cymbals, suspended cymbal
11. Snare drum
12. 3 Toms (low, medium, high)
13. Bass drum *optional
SUGGESTED SETUP
playing time: 2'20"
