Lake Michigan II: Vibraphone Score & Parts

Hypnotic and fluid, like watching light refract across water in constant motion. The two-against-three creates an undulating texture that shifts and breathes rather than marching forward in lockstep, evoking the perpetual back-and-forth of lake waves without ever becoming literal or precious.

Vibraphonists ready to tackle ensemble writing that demands rhythmic independence and ensemble awareness simultaneously. This works well for advanced high school percussionists, college students, or community ensembles exploring contemporary chamber music for mallet instruments.

• Establish the two-against-three relationship in isolation before attempting full ensemble sections; use a metronome to lock the asymmetry so it feels natural rather than labored.
• Listen beneath your own line to the other vibraphone part; the "waves flowing back and forth" effect only emerges when both players hear each other's phrasing as a unified gesture.
• Pay close attention to the motor speed of each vibraphone to ensure tonal consistency across the piece; shifts in speed can obscure the rhythmic relationship you've worked to establish.

Program this alongside other contemporary mallet percussion works to showcase the sophistication of the vibraphone beyond jazz and pop contexts. It also pairs well with pieces that use traditional rhythmic relationships, as the polyrhythmic foundation here makes a compelling sonic contrast.

• Two-against-three polyrhythmic independence
• Vibraphone ensemble voicing and balance
• Listening across asymmetrical rhythmic lines
• Motor control and consistency on double-motor instruments
• Phrasing water-inspired musical textures