Difficulty- Easy
Length- 2:15
Number of Players- Variable, 2-5 Players
Instrumentation- Marimba (2 Players, 1 4.3), Vibraphone (3.0), Shaker, Mark Tree, Djembe, Suspended Cymbal
Publisher- Tapspace Publications (www.tapspace.com)
Program Notes-
About the Collection-
"The deserts of Southern Nevada and California were the inspiration behind these three compositions. Originally written as a suite of duets in 2016, they have been updated to include optional parts that make them playable by two to five players. They may be performed individually, or two or more works may be performed as a ‘suite.’ The performers may choose the order." -Alex Stopa
About "Red Rock Canyon"-
"A four-over-three polyrhythm forms the basis for the thematic material in this composition. Images of the “Wild West,” horse-drawn carriages, ranchers, and frontier settlers inspired this short, energetic piece.
The primary material in this piece is comprised of a duet requiring each player to hold two mallets while sharing one 4-octave marimba.
An optional vibraphone part is included, as well as two percussion parts (shaker, djembe, suspended cymbal, mark tree). While
it’s simplest to split these percussion parts between two players, it is possible for a more advanced percussionist to perform both percussion parts as one. Both percussion parts are included within the same part. With these options, this piece may be played as a duet, trio, quartet, or quintet." -Alex Stopa
Composer Bio-
Australian-born Alex Stopa is in high demand as a drummer, percussionist, marimba soloist, and clinician. Praised for his “wonderfully creative musical instincts, dazzling technique and high-octane stage presence,” (Scott Stevens, New York Metropolitan Opera) he has performed extensively in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, France, Belgium, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Dr. Stopa performs regularly as a percussionist and timpanist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theater Orchestra, and Nevada Pops Orchestra. He can currently be heard playing drums for the musical, “Bat Out Of Hell”, nightly at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
He has performed with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Amy Grant, Idina Menzel, Placido Domingo, Donny and Marie Osmond, Weird Al Yankovic, Charo, Evanescence, and for Bad Bunny, Prince Royce, and Mana on the Latin Grammys. He has played in productions of “Wicked”, “The Lion King”, “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular”, “Mary Poppins”, “Evita”, “Mamma Mia”, “The Producers”, “Le Reve”, and Cirque Du Soleil’s “Zarkana”. He also played drums for rock group "Big Talk" (the solo project of Ronnie Vannucci from "The Killers") with whom he performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. In 2016 "Lincoln Center Originals" performed a number of short plays at the Lincoln Center in New York City that were inspired by the original music of his rock group "The Silver State."
As a marimba artist he won first prize in the James K. Huntziger Concerto Competition and gained considerable acclaim with awards at the Reno Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition, and Australian National Marimba Competition. As a passionate advocate of new music, Mr. Stopa has performed numerous world premieres including Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic’s "Magma" for solo marimba, and "Drifting on Winds and Currents" composed by Samuel Adler for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He premiered Sir Peter Maxwell Davies work "A Glass of Frontignac" (the day after it was composed!) at the Barossa Festival in South Australia with the Elder New Music Ensemble.
In addition to his diverse performance career, Mr. Stopa is an enthusiastic educator who is always eager to share his passion for music with students of all ages. He is actively involved with educational outreach programs and frequently presents clinics and workshops. His recent appearances have included Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australian National University, Victorian College of the Arts, Elder Conservatorium of Music, McNeese State University, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, South Dakota State University, Montana State University Billings, Winona State University, College of Southern Nevada, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Pana Percussion Institute, and the Las Vegas Drum Camp.
Alex Stopa endorses Sabian Cymbals, Majestic Percussion, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Remo drumheads. His original compositions and arrangements are published by Tapspace music.