Death Valley Symphony: IV. Dark Sky (2024) by Jenni Brandon

DARK SKIES AND DISTANT WORLDS – April 11, 2026 Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa [[ Heartland Marimba’s Dark Skies and Distant Worlds production takes the audience on an exploration to faraway planets and remote places on Earth. It is a multi-media experience that can be designed to fit your programming needs and venue size. The production has interchangeable elements, allowing HM to visit any venue and take that community on a spectacular journey. Regardless of your venue's capacity, HM will present a cosmic show that holds something for everyone. This is a wonderful concert to pair with an environmental awareness message or event, as well as science education for youth. We can also offer onstage demonstrations/ instrument petting zoos of all the unique instruments and/or pre-concert talks. For questions and booking inquiries, email: [email protected]. ]] ACT I: Solar Flurries (2020)* by Matthew Coley HMQ: Matthew Coley, Hunter Gross, Sophia Lo, and Marco Schirripa Video created by Sandy Nordahl (Images provided by NASA) Interlude 1: Jupiter (2026)* † – adapted/composed by M. Coley/ melody by Gustav Holst HM Artists: Eri Isomura and Ryan Pearson / HM Guests: Grayson Rushing and Olivia Sletteland Ice Breaks (2026)* † by Marco Schirripa HMQ Video created by Sandy Nordahl (Images provided by NOAA) Interlude 2: Moon’s Earthrise (2026)* † by Matthew Coley HM Artists: Eri Isomura and Ryan Pearson / HM Guests: Luke Helker, Grayson Rushing, and Olivia Sletteland Deep Red Regolith (2026)* † by Matthew Coley II. Oceanus Borealis III. Valles Marineris HMQ and Grayson Rushing Video created by Sandy Nordahl (Images provided by NASA) ACT II: Death Valley Symphony by Jenni Brandon I. Badwater Basin (2022) II. Clay Pipes and Spiral Shells (2023) III. Erosion’s Grotto (2025) † Soloists: Elizabeth Nelson (Soprano), Chris Hale (Baritone) IV. Dark Sky (2024) Soloist: Elizabeth Nelson (Soprano) Jenni Brandon, conductor • HMQ, HM Artists, and HM Guests • Bel Canto Cedar Valley and Metropolitan Chorale Videos created by Dale Parson *Available through Heartland Marimba Publications – https://www.heartlandmarimbapublicati... † World Premiere ARTISTS HMQ: Matthew Coley, Hunter Gross, Sophia Lo, and Marco Schirripa HM Artists: Jenni Brandon, Eri Isomura, and Ryan Pearson HM Guests: Korey Barrett (piano), Luke Helker, Brandon Krieg (poet), Grayson Rushing, Olivia Sletteland, and Staci Toma Bel Canto Cedar Valley, Alice Pruisner, director Metropolitan Chorale, Ryan Occeña, director Dark Skies and Distant Worlds full program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RzbY... VISIT: https://www.heartlandmarimba.com/ ADDITIONAL CREDITS Dale Parson (Video Artist): Creator of videos for Death Valley Symphony Sandy Nordahl (Video Artist): Creator of videos for Solar Flurries, Ice Breaks, and Deep Red Regolith Thank you to the University of Northern Iowa and the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony for the use of their instruments. Thank you to Waterloo West High and Hudson High Schools for rehearsal space.