MTSU - Jacksonville State University Percussion Ensemble - Dr. Matthew Jordan, Director

"I began writing this marimba quartet while temporarily teaching at Virginia Tech University in the Fall of 2019. While living away from family and friends, I spent my spare time binge-watching movies. Consequently, each movement title has a cinematic association for me. The first movement was inspired by 1973’s The Wicker Man, directed by Robin Hardy; Rain is inspired by the films of Akira Kurosawa and his frequent use of rain to depict specific emotional states; the third movement is inspired by the 1963 Ingmar Bergman film of the same name." -Brant Blackard

Dr. Brant Blackard is an active performer, educator, composer and arranger. His arrangements of classical repertoire for mixed percussion ensembles have been performed at institutions such as the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music while his original compositions have had recent premieres at Missouri University, Virginia Tech University, and the University of North Florida. Brant has toured internationally with chamber groups such as the Alla Ballena Ensemble and the Zohn Collective. As part of the Frozen Earth Duo with Connor Stevens, he has toured extensively, performing and presenting at the Ontario PAS Day of Percussion and the Leigh Howard Stevens Marimba Seminar. Brant has also retained his love of metal drumming and continues to play regularly. Brant Blackard received his DMA and MM Degrees from the Eastman School of Music along with the prestigious Performer’s Certificate and Milton Schlesinger Prize, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and Literature from the University of Central Arkansas. He is currently on faculty at Jacksonville State University. Brant is an endorser and performing artist of Malletech instruments and mallets.