Christian Kilgore

A Message from the Composer

Clarity is my premiere work for solo marimba and I began writing this work during senior year of undergraduate. During this period, I spent a lot of time stressing about the next steps in my life. I had lots of dreams and goals, but no idea where I would end up a year from then. There was so much uncertainty, so much up in the air that it would often be overwhelming if I thought about it for too long. When the world around me was too much, I had myself and a marimba. I found a very simple theme that holds this childlike wonder and it helped calmed my nerves. Throughout the work, the idea expands without ever straying too far away. This piece captures good memories, reflections of the past, anxiety about the future, and a lot of hope. All of this makes up everything that I have felt during this period of life. Composing this solo aided me in finding peace. I hope that you too can find Clarity.

-Christian Kilgore