Justin Griffin is currently a music education major at San Jose State University, specializing in concert percussion. Before arriving at San Jose State, his primary instrument was saxophone. But under the tutelage of percussion professors Galen Lemmon, Bryce Leafman, and Divesh Karamchandani, Griffin’s music education shifted to a focus on the marimba. Griffin was drawn to the Golovko concerto when he first heard it, and found it to be one of the most difficult pieces he has played during his university studies. Griffin hopes that those who hear this performance of an “amazing piece of music” are encouraged by the fact that he only started playing four mallets four years ago. He also thanks the Diablo Symphony for the opportunity to play the concerto with a live orchestra.