On the Verge by Jonathan Anderson

Written for marimba artist Nathan Daughtrey, On The Verge is divided into three movements. Each movement depicts a step along the way to having a nervous breakdown: Disjointed has angry outbursts with a few jocular moments, but ultimately gives into the anger from the beginning. Identity represents the person starting to come to grips with the situation. It begins in a very tranquil manner, but several agitated moments are interspersed. Release shows that the person has made peace with the issues causing problems. The meter is 4/4 throughout this movement, but odd accents prevent the listener from detecting the regularity of the meter. Excellent piece for a university percussion recital.