Secret Language of Snow

The Secret Language of Snow for Flute Ensemble by Kirk Vogel

Instrumentation: 4 c flutes, alto flute, bass flute (or 6 c flutes)

Score and parts (substitute C flute parts included for Alto and Bass flutes)

I. Annui (Falling Snow)

II. Api (Fresh Snow on the Ground)

III. Siqoq (Swirling Snow)

The composition The Secret Language of Snow, inspired by Terry Tempest William’s book by the same name, musically depicts three of the words for snow used by the Inuit of the Kobuk Valley in northwest Alaska. The first movement, Annui, means falling snow. Api, the second movement, is the Inuit word for fresh snow on the ground. The third movement, Siqog, describes the snow that swirls above the ridgetops.