AXP0618 (Aluminum Xylophone Project, June 2018) is a performance work commissioned for the 2018 PRF BBQ (a 3-day music festival held annually in Chicago, Illinois USA). Ian Ding and Nicholas Papador gave the premiere performance on June 23, 2018, at Workshop 4200. This piece is inspired by the music of Sarah Hennies and bears some textural similarities to works such as Flourish and Settle. However, this piece features select narrative musical moments and timings to suit the format of the 2018 PRF event.
Both players play on the same vibraphone and should not use two instruments. The vibraphone pedal should be weighted down (with a stage weight or similar object). Player 1 also plays a woodblock and a crotale. Each player will need a bass bow, and rubber mallets in addition to standard vibraphone mallets. Performers may adjust the dynamics and durations depending on the acoustics of the performance space. The duo plays from one score and uses a stopwatch (on smartphone or tablet) to aid in musical pacing.