Squish It! is dedicated to Michael Burritt and the Eastman School of Music percussion ensemble. The work was started many years ago, but left unfinished until September of 2025 when Professor Burritt said he would like to program a composition of mine this spring (2026). It is for six marimbas, and requires a kind of drum corps like precision from the ensemble. I knew that I could write pretty much anything for the amazing ESM percussion studio students, and they would manage is successfully. It is in a dramatic style, with lots of contrast texturally and dynamically, in a quick vivo setting. There are a couple of quotes from other compositions of mine, for those who are familiar enough with my music.
The title refers to “Panic Pete” the squish it toy, where you squish its belly and the eyes, ears, and mouth pop out in a strange way, much like the music of this composition.

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