The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill, in Coloma, California. Using unique scoring techniques and multiple tambourines as "pans," "Eureka" is David Shaffer's musical depiction of the first miners attempts at panning gold from the American River and their perilous trip by horseback to San Francisco to stake their claim. Breathtaking musical excitement, simple but clever staging of the "panners" combined with the historical importance of that era will make this composition a must for your concert repertoire. Appropriate for festival, contest, and concert programs, this composition will make a rousing closer to any program.