Written for the senior percussion students at Southwestern High School in
Somerset, Kentucky in the spring of 2024,“All She Wrote” is a piece for large percussion
ensemble that seeks to integrate modern compositional techniques within the traditional structure of the percussion ensemble. In this piece, along with the traditional structure of classical percussion instruments, the listener will notice the heavy bass line provided by the synthesizer and hip-hop inspired backbeats performed by the drum set. Nestled within the piece is the refrain from the traditional Christian Hymn,“How Great Thou Art.” This juxtaposition, both sonically and thematically, create a unique landscape for the listener to engage with the ensemble.The phrase“All she wrote,” is of course not a literal phrase. Rather, it is common parlance in many parts of the rural south representing the end of something. Being that this piece was written for a large group of very talented seniors, the phrase
“All She Wrote,” is in reference to their careers at that particular school. In combination with the hymn, it is a reminder to go boldly into the next chapter of their lives.