Hydra by Chad Heiny

Chad Heiny’s Hydra is a wild and aggressive piece meant to represent the serpentine-like beast of the same name. The mythology surrounding the monster tells that when one of its heads was cut off, another two heads would regenerate. Thus, Chad makes rhythmic references to the number 2 throughout the work. Also, the horrifying “hiss” of the creature can be heard through the use of trashy metallic instruments as well as the “hissing” vocal instructions used throughout the piece. Hydra was commissioned by Chris Fauries and the Walsh Middle School Percussion Ensemble in celebration of their acceptance and performance at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention.