Plasma, composed by Lucas Sem (b. 1997), is an energetic and exciting piece for large percussion ensemble. The title Plasma references the state of matter, and its characteristics are reflected in the music. Plasma is a high energy state of matter, with a very strong magnetic field, as well as a good conductor for electricity. It can be beautiful, lighting up the sky in the form of the northern lights, or spontaneous and destructive, being present in lightning strikes and stars.

This piece is an eligible work in the Percussion Ensemble category of the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Prescribed Music List (PML).

Instrumentation:
Perc. 1: Marimba (5.0 optional), Suspended Cymbal, High Tom-Tom
Perc. 2: Xylophone, Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock, Medium Tom-Tom
Perc. 3: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal
Perc. 4: Glockenspiel, China Cymbal, Castanets, Triangle, Low Tom-Tom
Perc. 5: Chimes, Crotales, Woodblock, China Cymbal, Low Tom-Tom
Perc. 6: Timpani
Perc. 7: Piatti, Splash Cymbal, Sizzle Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Zil Bel, Thundersheet, Woodblock, Tam-tam
Perc. 8: Triangle, Tambourine, Slapstick, Brake Drum
Perc. 9: Tam-Tam, Gran Casa, Vibraslap, Sizzle Cymbal
Perc. 10: Ride Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Snare Drum, Medium Tom-Tom

For more information about Lucas, including his other published works, visit his composer page.