Percussion Ensemble

Texts

The Light of Night Mountain 
Jenna Boone

Narrator: Long ago, there was a great mountain called Night Mountain. Its peaks pierced the sky, and its cliffs plunged into shadow. Travelers feared the mountain, for it was said to have a soul of its own—one that hungered for those who wandered too far. But the villagers who lived at its base told another story, one of an ancient bond. It was said that the mountain had watched over them long ago during great darkness. A terrible storm had blotted out the sun for many days, and the people, unable to navigate in the unending night, grew desperate. The villagers prayed to the mountain, offering what little they had left. Moved by their plea, the mountain's spirit descended from its peaks, appearing as a radiant figure of light.

Mountain Spirit: “You, who dwell in my shadow, have honored me with your faith. I shall grant you my light to guide you through this darkness. Keep it burning, and it will protect you always.”

Narrator: The spirit plucked a fragment of its glow and placed it in a lantern, giving it to the people. From that day, the lantern's light guided travelers and shielded the village from harm. Generations passed, and the villagers forgot the storm but kept the lantern lit, though few remembered its origins. Over time, the shrine at the mountain’s base was cared for only by the Lantern Keeper and their family, while the rest of the village grew indifferent to the mountain’s spirit. One year, during a long winter, the lantern’s flame began to wane. No matter how much oil the keeper used, the light dimmed as though the mountain’s spirit were withdrawing its blessing. The villagers grew fearful. The child of the lantern keeper, a soul of endless curiosity and courage, could not sit idly by. One night, as the lantern’s light flickered weakly, they came to me with a resolve that shone brighter than the flame.

Child: “I will climb Night Mountain and ask the mountain why its light is fading.”

Narrator: The Lantern Keeper gasped at these words. No one climbed Night Mountain; those who tried never returned. But the child would not be swayed. The child began their ascent, taking the lantern, its flame barely holding against the cold wind.

Child: As I climbed, the air grew colder, the paths narrower. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying voices that seemed to call my name. Still, I pressed on. I reached a narrow ledge overlooking the valley below. The wind stopped at the edge of the world. The silence was deafening. The ground beneath my feet suddenly trembled, and a deep voice rumbled through the night.

Mountain Spirit: “Why do you disturb my rest, child of the lanterns?”

Child: I stood my ground, though my heart raced. “Great mountain,” I replied, “your light grows weak, and I fear your favor is lost. I have come to understand why.”

Mountain Spirit: “The lantern burns with my spirit, yet the village has forgotten its purpose. While the Keeper tends the shrine, the paths to my heart are overgrown, and the people no longer offer respect. Tell me, child—why should I keep my light burning when so few remember my power?”

Child: I bowed deeply. “You are right, great Night Mountain. The village has grown careless, but they still need your light. Teach me how to honor you, and I will carry your message to the people.”

Narrator: The mountain fell silent for a long moment.

Child: Then, the lantern’s light grew brighter than ever.

Mountain Spirit: “Take this light, child, and return it to your village. They must always look for the light to guide them, even in the darkest times. So long as they honor this truth, my light will never fail.”

Child: (holding the light) I returned to the village, carrying the mountain’s flame. Together, we restored the shrine and cleared the old paths. We began a festival to honor this mountain—the Light on Night Mountain.

Narrator: To this day, the lantern burns brightly at the base of Night Mountain, a reminder of the bond between the mountain and the village. The mountain taught us that even in the darkest times, we must always look for the light to guide us. The light of Night Mountain still burns, guiding us through the night.

Hear You Again 
Reginae Collins

Can you hear
I’ll even shout and speak clear 
I’ll speak a little louder
To hear you say my name again
For you I would chase the rain
For you I’d do it to see your face

On long nights
I reel over our goodbyes
I think about your smile over and over 
And over again
Ooh, for you I would chase the rain
Ooh, for you I’d do it to see your face

Ooh, running out of time
Day and night
Time just flies

Can you hear
I’ll even shout and speak clear 
I’ll speak a little louder
To hear you say my name again 
(Again, Again)
Oh yeah, yeah for you, I would chase the rain
Yeah for you I would take a chance
I’d do it all to see your face

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Musicians

Randy Griner
Khaden Joyner
Spencer Frismanis
Aaryn Avila
Davin Cai
Sophie Thomason
Sebastian Zhang
JP Ruiz
Jenna Boone
Caroline Richards
Meghan Lawson
Ethan Hall
Erika Lin
Gage Lagueux
Payton Icard
Seth Underwood
Federico Lopez
Matt Garcia
Marcos Jurado
Zak King
Michael Rivera-Gonzalez
Justin Cooperman

Sean Simpson
Ashley Hsu

Kaiwen Luo
Clinton Washington  

Bryce Turner
Reginae Collins
 

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