Timbral Explorations For Wind & Percussion Instruments

This thesis is divided into two parts: a composition element and a research element. The composition element consists of a thirteen-minute work for wind ensemble titled Breath of the Mountains. The research element consists of the exploration and discovery of unusual sounds and extended techniques (in collaboration with instrumental performers) that were individually recorded and then described in this document. These two elements were combined by incorporating selected sounds and techniques in the composition Breath of the Mountains.