Description

When the gods speak, the world trembles.

“Ragnarok” is a bold, aggressive production that celebrates the world of the Vikings: fierce warriors, sacred lands, and the mythology that shaped their lives. The show opens with a holy and ominous tone that pays homage to the gods. A towering carved runestone (the Viking equivalent of a totem, etched with divine symbols) anchors the stage, setting the tone and serving as the central prop that carries the story forward.

The first movement introduces the Vikings in their village, a glimpse of daily life that is proud and powerful, declaring, “this is who we are.” The second movement turns reflective and calm, like the quiet before a storm. The Vikings look to the runestone and to the gods for strength, their preparations filled with restraint and anticipation rather than action. The calm creates space for the tension to build, making what comes next inevitable.

When lightning strikes in the third movement, the gods themselves have spoken. The runestone shatters, unleashing chaos and signaling the dawn of Ragnarok. Battle erupts in a storm of rhythm, sound, and motion, an all-out clash between mortals and myth. The finale is relentless, cathartic, and open-ended, leaving room for programs to expand the legend or craft their own ending.

Originally commissioned for Los Alamitos High School in 2025, who made PSO finals at the Southern California Percussion Alliance Championships.