Moon Chasers by Mark Ford
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лип 2015
- Moon Chasers is a marimba solo written by UNT Percussion Coordinator Mark Ford. The music is about two people in love who are separated over a long distance and connected only by the moon. The work, dedicated to Mark's wife Ewelina, is the musical foundation for the second movement of Ford’s Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble premiered in Australia with the Melbourne Conservatorium Wind Symphony directed by Nicholas Williams. The Concerto is also published by Musicon Publications and will be available in early 2023.
Moon Chasers is published by Musicon Publications: Check it out here: musiconpublications.com/produ...
You're the voice of a dream I had
You're the voice and I'm so glad
You're the weight of a dream of a life come true
There's no denying
I sometimes run and chase the moon
I just can
I sometimes run and chase the views
And dream of you
from "Dreamer" by Toni Childs
Homie gave me a 1 at state Solo and Ensemble contest. Never been so star struck in my life.
Congratulations Matthew!
Bruh I would be so scared if I played for him. His one of my favorite composers
Matt is that you??
@@fdeleon720 Frank is that you?
@@esaiperez2787 is that you?
This was the piece that made me fall in love with the marimba and inspired me to try so hard to learn it. Thank you Mr. Ford.
Thank you for this beautiful and kind comment! Through dedicated consistent work and musical achievement your performance will also inspire others to reach higher goals. The beauty we love reflects who we are. So whatever music you play, always connect with the expressive qualities that brought you to music in the first place. Find your musical voice and enjoy the journey! All the best!
I fell asleep on the bus with this on repeat for 3 hours. The best marimba solo ever written in my opinion
Wow! Thank you!
I hope my arms get that thick from playing marimba!
3 years ago, I had no idea that percussion would be what I'd want to pursue for my musical career; I'd studied voice primarily up until that point, but I'd always dabbled a bit in both worlds. After starting applied percussion lessons as a voice student, I eventually stumbled upon this piece. I believe this piece was a pivotal part in me figuring out what I wanted to do for my career; performance, education, and composition, with a focus on percussion. So I made the switch. I just had my first solo percussion recital yesterday, and this piece is the one I chose to close it with. Thank you, Mr. Ford, for this stellar work! I hope to meet you someday.
Seth, thank you for your wonderful message! Words cannot express the impact that music and art can have on our lives. Your description of how Moon Chasers played a role in your musical progress was touching. But you were the one that had the vision, you did the work, and you had the determination, perseverance and work ethic to prepare and perform a recital! Wonderful! Congratulations on your accomplishments! I hope to meet you one day and hear your perform. Keep up the great work!!
been 6 years since i touched a marimba, still listen to this piece all the time.
After searching for 3 hours I have found the piece I want to play on my final exam :) I love it! I'm really picky with marimba pieces so I'm really happy to have found this piece of art. It looks pretty hard tho... Let's start practising :)
Leander De Weerdt - Thank you for your comments! Good luck on your recital!!
just found this piece and i’d be so interested in trying to play this but i only have access to a 4.3 octave marimba :/ it’s heavenly to listen to though
You can play everything one octaf higher, than when you get acces to a bassmarimba then you now it already
Greetings, I can ask you for the sheet music of this piece... I can't find them in any way. …
it is amazing!!! i love it congratulations Mr. Ford.
Thank you for your kind comment! I'm glad you are enjoying Moon Chasers!
Mr. Ford you're an amazing performer and composer! Your compositions have elevated the marimba to a new level.
Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad that you are enjoying the music! Keep working hard on your performance skills and in time good things will happen!
Learning this my freshman year to play sophomore year cause I already did my solo. It’s also first year in band 😼
Great! Congrats on your first year in band! I hope you enjoy learning and playing Moon Chasers. Learn and practice small sections of the music and then gradually start to put these sections together. In time you will have the entire work! Good luck!
Man, this piece is gorgeous. One of my favorite pieces of yours I've heard. Forcing me to spend all my money on sheet music...
Alex King Play Guatemalan marimba
Where did you got the sheetmusic? I can't find it
@@remcoarets5142 almost any big percussion music distributor lol. Steve Weiss. Lone star. Etc
I would’ve played this solo at state if these current circumstances never happened. Just so fun to play. I wish I could write beautiful charts like this one. Bless you sir!
Eric Chavez - Thank you Eric! I hope to hear you perform Moon Chasers one day! All the best for your music!
yo Mark Ford ! Remember u went to Shanghai and perform ? i was the audience, i'm your fan ! These piece u written are so good !
成希涵 - of course I remember! That was a wonderful visit! 😀. Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you are enjoying my music!! Best wishes!
i don´t mind how difficult this piece is, i want to start practising it, my favourite marimba piece so far, thank you mark ford.
This is such a beautiful solo. I can’t wait to play this at solo and ensemble.
Thank you Dominic! I hope that I am your judge at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival! Good luck!!
rip solo and ensemble 2020
Thank you Keishi! And I can never forget our time in your beautiful country! I'm glad that you enjoy the music!
This is honestly one of my favorite pieces for marimba. I'm super picky when it comes to marimba solos too. This is my next piece I'll be working on and I can't be more excited! Thank you for this!
+Elightened2k16 - Thank you for your nice comment! I'm glad that you are excited about Moon Chasers! Let me know when you perform it! Good luck!!
just started learning this. harder than it looks
Yes my just started and he said exactly the same
Sophomore in Texas been learning this solo for quite some time on top of my other solo that I got a one with at state and I ordered your mallets so I can play similarly to this I love this solo
Thanks so much! I hope you are making great progress with your music! All the best!
Love this! The melodic and bass lines mix together very nicely
Thank you so much!
You got skills, Mark Ford. You got skills 😁😁
Thank you Howard! Work hard on your music and good things will happen!
Beautiful and so well played (and recorded)
Thank you for your kind comments about Moon Chasers Steve!
Played this two years ago at State Solo and Ensemble and got a 1. Still one of the best solos I have ever gotten to play.... or listen to!
Congratulations on your performance Brock! Thank you for your kind words about Moon Chasers! FYI: I'm in the process now of composing the 2nd movement of my Marimba Concerto utilizing themes from Moon Chasers. The title of the movement is Chasing the Moon and the entire concerto will be premiered in Melbourne, Australia in spring of 2022!
I found my new favorite song I can’t wait to learn this!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy learning Moon Chasers!
I like songs that can not be forgotten from the moment I heard in Japan.
I want to let me play this song.
ｋeishi Furuya
Just wonderful ! Even if the record makes the sound hard. In concert it's so awesome ! The sound of Mark Ford is just unique : deep, never hard or aggressive and that's very moved
Thank you so much!
Your so inspiring! I’m currently in 8th grade still listening to all your pieces! This is by far my most favorite one! Right now I’m working on one of your classics:fry. I can’t wait to play it for my percussion solo at the concert! You have been inspiring me for 2 years already! Keep up the great work and keep inspiring others!
Thank you so much! Moon Chasers is one of my favorites too! Good luck on your performance of Fry! Keep practicing every day and record yourself often. Listen back constructively as you study the score, and make a practice plan for bringing musical clarity and expression to your performance. In time you will become a stronger musician! Enjoy!
Who in their right mind would dislike this?!? This is a masterpiece of a solo!
Thank you so much for this kind comment! All the best for your music. Keep practicing!
These dislikes are coming from those who don't practice!
Homie cheated on his wife and this is his magnum opus about the experience
Hey Cody
@@JamesH045 ain't no way bro😂
Currently in my sophomore year in high school and I'm hoping that I'll be able to play this at some point, maybe this year or next year. It really is a beautiful piece, and I know that with enough time working on it I can get it down solid.
I agree! Go slow and learn 4 or 8 bars at a time. Be patient, play every day possible, and good things will happen. I look forward to hearing your performance one day. Good luck!
okay, i just found it and I will try to play it next year at the liege conservatory :D
I love this piece so much! Congratulation master Ford. I think i will buy it soon and start studying it... It will be a special gift for my wife!... As soon as i get it i will let you know... Big hug from Venezuela
Playing this piece tomorrow at Solo & Ensemble after taking three weeks to learn it. It truly is a wonderful piece to study and I’m excited to perform it.
Triana, good luck on your performance at Solo & Ensemble! Thanks so much for your kind comment about Moon Chasers!
Might choose this for my solo
Wonderful! Enjoy!
Wonderful, thanks for posting.
(Great name -Coincidentally I'm also called Mark Ford too!)
My friend performed this at solo and ensemble and now he’s going to state!
Wonderful!!
Mark Ford!!! Hopefully you remember me. I remember Pasic when we improvised together on 2 marimbas facing each! One of my best memories. 😎
Funny story but good: One guy was playing on his own. You saw him, and chose to get on the marimba next to him. While you were playing with him and sending all sorts of signals that you wanted to share time, he was just not paying attention. He finished and walked away. You had the face of a funny shock that he didn’t have a clue what was happening. I saw that moment and ran up to you. We faced the marimbas face to face and just played for about 4min. We traded solos. It was amazing. It brought a lot of people to circle us. I absolutely loved that moment playing with you. Thank You!!
Daniel, I'm sorry I missed this comment when you wrote it... Thank you! Yes, I do remember that time at PASIC! Very nice!
What a lovely composition Mark, and a captivating performance as well!
anyone else tryna mosh to this
This piece never fails to make me cry. It’s my favorite solo. If I ever get my hands on a marimba again I’ll finish it 🙁🥺🤍
Kyra - Thank you! I hope to hear you play Moon Chasers one day!
❤
Nice work Mark Truly inspirational
Justin Skalaa, thank you!!
Thank you for the 5 minute chat at PASIC last year. You are a very kind man.
My pleasure Justin! Keep working hard on your music!
2:50 is definitely my favorite part of this piece! Great job, I’m in love with this piece!
Thank you!!!
Our summer band instructor mentioned to us once that you were his teacher! His name is Ernesto. Crazy how your skills could be passed down from you, to your students, and to their students. Also crazy how I can now technically say I learned from Mark Ford? 😂😂
Kaitlyn Hunter I could say the same about Kevin Bobo technically
Ernesto Aguirre, right?
Amazing piece, it really captures the feeling in the description, will definitely be one of the first pieces I attempt to learn once I have access to a 5.0 octave marimba!
Thank you!! I look forward to hearing you play Moon Chasers one day!
Played Polaris for Mark at State Solo and Ensemble, never been so nervous in my life ha. Got a 2 :/
Played this piece at 2017 state solo and ensemble. Never loved practicing music as much as I did for this. I also met Mark at the competition. Amazing person and amazing musician!
Thanks Orlando! I'm glad that you enjoyed Moon Chasers. I love it too! Keep up the good work on your music!
Phenomenal... I hope I can one day play this!
Thank you! If you practice daily and find a good teacher, you will
play Moon Chasers and many other beautiful pieces one day! Listen to a
wide variety of music and go to concerts whenever you can. Then one
day I will be watching your videos! ;-)
Really want to play this for my recital but we don't have a 5 octave Marimba unfortunately. Might just learn everything else just to get it in my hands just in case we get one. Lovely piece and theme
I am playing more of us for my solo I am a sophomore this year and looking forward to playing this next year for state solo and ensemble. I love this solo so much.
Thank you for your comment Kolt! I'm glad that you are enjoying Moon Chasers! All the best for your music!
You make it look so easy!!!
Absolutely beautiful
Many thanks!
i am commenting now and have decided to make this my solo ensemble piece this year, hopefully when i reply back to this comment i am able to say i scored a one
Wonderful Brad! Study the score and divide the work into different practice sessions. Strive to play a small section of the music with attention to all of the details on the page (phrasing, dynamics, rhythm, notes, tempo, articulation, etc). Don't be in a hurry to learn the entire work. Rather strive to play your practice sections with confidence and musical direction as you gradually add on new (short) sections of the work. Record yourself for better self-evaluation. Mark ideas to practice in the score as you listen to your recordings. In time you will have the entire piece learned and performing with musical personality and character. If you do this, then I would bet that you will earn a "1" for sure! Good luck!
I just LOVE It!
wooow
Thank you!!!
Thank you Mark for allowing people such as myself to perform such a wonderful piece.
We are on this earth to share Anthony! Enjoy!
Mr. Ford I came to your percussion camp at UNT and had an awesome time. I just started learning this piece and it sounds gorgeous and you make it look much easier than it is. I love how there is so much room for musicality and individual interpretation. All of your works are phenomenal!
Hi Laya! I glad that you enjoyed the American Percussion Seminar! Thank you for your kind words about Moon Chasers! Enjoy preparing and learning the music. Then send me a video of your performance when you are ready. I look forward to hearing it! BTW: I'm about to premiere a new marimba concerto in Australia (on October 8th) and the middle movement is based on Moon Chasers. I can't wait to perform this concerto version! Best wishes for your upcoming school year!
Beautiful Mark!
What a beautiful piece... awesome technique, also like your instructional vids. Glad to run into your channel Mark
Thank you so much! Please subscribe and share these instructional videos with your students. Best wishes for your music!
Nice 🙏🙏👏👏👏
If I could add one piece of marimba literature to my state's list for solo competition it would be this piece. I love it so much.
Thank you!! What state do you live in? Maybe this can be done for next year.
@@markfordmusic Missouri!
@@markfordmusic I actually double checked our state's list and found it, but no one at my school has ever talked about it. It looks like I'll have to be the first to take it to competition here!
@@percussionistry8591 Wonderful!! This is great news!! Good luck!
Performed this piece this past fall before the pandemic hit. Listening to it brings me back to those simpler times :) Wonderful stuff
Thank you so much! Music has an amazing power to transport us back to special times or memories. Yes, we are all waiting for this Pandemic to end and praying for better times ahead!
😱😱😱
Top!!!!
Was a pleasure meeting you again today! Hope to possibly see you in the fall! 🙂
-CC Connolly
I love this piece so much. So excited to perform it in my percussion concert!
Thanks so much! Good luck on your performance!
god, how I wish I could play this.
You can do it! Make a plan to practice and work up to the skills you need to refine. Measure difficulty by realizing that some tasks need more time, dedication and persistence!
One of the ALL time favorites-
Oh My! Thank you Naoko!!! ;-)
Already ordered this solo! So excited to perform this, I'm in love.
Thank you!! Enjoy!
Bruh
I’d love to learn this once region is over for this year but it looks so hard! This is such a beautiful piece though!
You learn it?
I love this piece! I just got my copy of "Moon Chasers" and I can't wait to start learning it for solo and ensemble next year!
Wonderful! All the best for your practice and preparation. Good luck!
I love this! Thank you so much for making this piece!
My pleasure! :)
Lovely! Can't wait for the full concerto version!
+Keli Schmidt - Thanks Keli! Ewelina and I are working on a children's book of original lullabies now and there will be some beautiful renditions for solo marimba. Then the concerto version... :)
sweet! please do an arrangement for wind ensemble with your concerto :D
Loved this piece so much, literally spent my entire short winter break practicing and learning this. There's just so much musical expression and nuance in this recording, it sounds so beautiful.
Thank you Rich!! I'm glad that you are enjoying Moon Chasers! Good luck with your performance! Maybe I'll get to hear you play it?! Hope so!
Played this my freshman year of high school:)
Playing this for my first Solo and Ensemble contest this Saturday, I'm a freshman so I can't wait to see how the S&E process works!
Wonderful! Thank you for playing Moon Chasers and good luck with the S&E Festival!
Love this, just purchased and started learning, hope i do a good job as you did composing this piece!
Many thanks! Go slow, study the score, practice every day, record yourself often and good things will happen! Good luck!
Currently learning this, it’s so fun to play so far
Thanks! Enjoying the music you are playing is a great way to involve the audience. If you love the music you are playing, then the audience will feel this. Record yourself in practice often to be sure that what you hear in your head is coming out of the instrument. Keep up the good work!
Ok,that is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Awesome!
Thank you very much!!
1:25 is my favorite part
If I had money, time, and a five octave marimba I would learn this...but I don't so it'll have to wait
Thanks Alex! Moon Chasers is published by Innovative Percussion and should be available this month (July 2015).
Mark Ford man this is beautiful
Mark Ford ur swoll
This piece is one of the most beautiful solos I've listened to, and I plan on playing this for Solo and Ensemble next year. Question for others that have played this piece before or Mr. Ford, what kind of mallets would you recommend playing this piece with? the mallets in the video seem pretty soft but I would like others' opinions.
Thanks so much! I prefer the Innovative Percussion IP813 mallets with an IP812 in the #1 position for a fuller bass tone. Yes, these mallets are a “legato” style mallet, but so the music is legato too so I think this is a good pairing. Enjoy!
I’m such a fan of your works! This is by far my favorite solo on marimba i have heard, and i plan on ordering the music as soon as i can! I am playing Birchbrook at solo and ensemble on February 22nd. One of my goals for my highschool percussion career is to play this, and I can’t wait. Thank you for blessing my ears!
Thank you!! I love playing Moon Chasers and I hope you will too! Enjoy Birchbrook as you gradually build up your musical and technical skills. Soon you will be ready for longer more developed works. Play every day and don't forget to practice your sight reading. Good luck!
La marimba is from my country, GUATEMALA
Viva Central America
TOTALLY AWESOME AND SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY BEHIND THIS PIECE!
Thank you Manuel!
Such a wonderful piece of literature, absolutely delightful!
Thank you!
I heard one of the private lesson teachers at my school playing this and fell in love with it!! I got copies of the music and am playing it at our percussion concert next semester! You truely created a beautiful piece of art.
Many thanks!! Let me know when you will perform Moon Chasers! Good luck!
This is gonna be my solo for Texas S & E next year, and I'm super excited to get working on it after my performance of Birchbrook at this years S & E! Love this piece so so much, as well as the rest of your work! Absolutely beautiful work!
Light Yagami - Thank you so much!! Good luck on your performances!! Maybe I will hear your Moon Chasers at the state S&E Festival!? Hope so!
Thinking about getting this solo, when I heard it, it sounded absolutely beautiful and it seems nice to play for my upcoming audition (:
Thank you Lisanna! Finding music that you can connect with is a good first step to selecting your audition music. Be sure that the work highlights your musical and technical strengths but still offers you some challenges. If you have the option to perform two works, then choose a second work that contrasts in style to show your diversity. A two mallet solo or etude would be perfect. Good luck!
absolutely gorgeous Mark
Many thanks Janis!
Wow. What a beautiful piece. It makes me wish I could play again. I never developed the hand independence to effectively play mallet percussion, but I loved it anyway. Marimba in particular has a special place in my heart. I miss it so much
Ezrea, thank you! Your love for music will always be with you in everything that you do. Find a way to channel that energy into positive and uplifting projects. Good things will happen!
Knowning you because of your masterpiece 《stubernic》,and now starting subscribing you as I listened this beautiful piece.I wish i can perform this work to my future wife 🤗🤗Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your kind comment and for subscribing to my YT channel! I hope that your future wife enjoys Moon Chasers! ;-) Best wishes for your music!
Stunning!
Thank you Jody! I'm glad you like Moon Chasers!
1:25 is my favorite part!
One of mine too! 😉
I love it!
Thanks Aaron!!
Hey Mark, i dont know if you're going to ever see this.
But I'm a junior in highschool and you are a massive inspiration to me, i love all of your work.
I studied your technique through music book religiously and you have help inspire me towards a career as a percussion major.
Keep up the amazing work!
Mason, many thanks for your kind words! Keep up the good work and play music as much as you can. Hopefully I will get a chance to see you perform one day! Best wishes!
Mason Light So how’s senior year?
This is a truly beautiful piece
Thank you so much!
Playing this for solo and ensemble next year, already ordered the music and I can't wait to start working on it!
Wonderful!! Good luck!!
Mark Ford I performed this piece as well as Afta-Stuba! (I was player 2) last Saturday and received an Excellent rating on both pieces (which were also coincidentally judged by John Lane). The next performance for both will be in 11 days, I hope we do as well if not better! I've had a lot of fun playing both pieces so far.
I can’t wait to play for him in state this year
Brody Fuller - I hope I’m your judge at State! Good luck!
Mark Ford thanks you sir it would be an honor to play for you!
Hey Mark Ford! I am asking or your opinion. I am a sophomore in high school and just started play 4-mallet and I think I am okay at them and can make lots of progress. So I was wondering which piece of solo I should play. My choices are between Emily's Dream From and Moon Chaser.
I dont know if you'll have enough time to prepare this kind of solo, I'd say that it may be better for you to play ghost garden by Adam hopper this year and then moon chasers next year
This is beautiful
Thanks Jessie!