River Rock Semaphore

River Rock Semaphore (2006) for percussion ensemble is loosely based on the sounds of a rocky shoreline. Waves that break on a rocky beach create an incredibly thick flurry of clicking as they move and deposit rocks, adding to the already rich soundscape associated with moving water. In this textural piece, patterns of stone clicking move slowly around the space along with other, more resonant sounds. In the distance, horn players with conch shell trumpets call to one another periodically, capturing the idea of communication over distance associated with water throughout human history.