Mountain Paths by Nathan Daughtrey is a two-movement piece for marimba that is meant to be used toward the beginning of a student's two-mallet education. An optional piano accompaniment is also provided, giving the student the opportunity to perform with an accompanist (foreshadowing concerto literature in the future). The first movement, To The Summit, is rolled and slowly meanders from the low end of the instrument to the upper end, when it reaches the climax (or summit). The second movement, Downward Spiral, is fast-paced with combinations of eighths and sixteenths and little syncopation. There is a brief recapitulation of the "summit" theme from the first movement before sliding down the remainder of the mountain.Number of Players: 1-2Difficulty:Grade 3+Instrumentation: Player I: Marimba Player II: Piano (optional)Nathan Daughtrey (b. 1975) earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Education (1997), a Master of Music in Percussion Performance (1999) and a Doctor of Musical Arts (2004) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Described as "fresh and imaginative," (Percussive Notes), his band and percussion works are quickly gaining international recognition with performances at educational institutions of all levels, festivals/contests, and music conferences around the world. Many of his original works and arrangements are becoming standards in the repertoire, including "Limerick Daydreams" for percussion ensemble or symphonic band, "Shock Factor" for percussion quintet, and "Strange Dreams" for clarinet/alto saxophone and marimba.
