Concert Program

Dedicated to Alexis C. Lamb, “Berimbau Duo No. 5” grew from an improvisation Alexis and Gregory Beyer played in Spring 2013 for Projeto Arcomusical. A gentle opening of unpitched sounds supports a hocketed melody, then becomes the main texture. The melody returns with added pitches and builds, before unpitched material reappears over a four-chord progression that accelerates to a thrilling finish.

Michio Kitazume is a Japanese composer and orchestra conductor. His avant-garde composing style was largely influenced by Schoenberg. Side by side was originally composed for solo multi-percussion and orchestra in 1987. In this piece, there are clear indications of the number of desired, but flexible, repetitions of each bar. The extreme and rapidly changing dynamics, contrast, polyrhythm, and difficulty in coordinating both hands and feet are the reasons why this piece is so challenging.

“Limbic Systems is a medium-advanced marimba duet scored for two performers on a 4-octave marimba and a 4.3 or 5-octave marimba. Composed in the spring of 2020, this is a musical journal entry of sorts, reflecting on the frenetic discourse on social media during such a volatile season in America.” – Ben Wahlund

Nine Lives is a snare drum solo in the rudimental style based on a Turkish Romany “gypsy” rhythm called the Roman Havas?. The original rhythm is usually played on the darbuka/doumbek to accompany dancers. This dance is usually in 9/8 meter and is known to be very expressive and enthusiastic. The original rhythm enters several times, yet should never feel over-played. Whether it is ornamented, accented differently, or stated in a different tempo, it is never the same.

In “Central Park West,” Elijah Fox paints a late-night Manhattan stroll: warm harmonies, unhurried pulse, and an intimate melody. The music drifts between jazz glow and modern minimalism, lingering like streetlights on wet pavement.

ser·vo /ˈsərvō/ — An automatic device that uses balancing feedback to correct the action of a mechanism. Systems where the feedback signals help control mechanical position, speed, or other parameters.

Ekimero no Omoide (駅メロの思い出) was inspired by my first trip to Japan teaching with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. I was fascinated by the train jingles that could be heard throughout the stations. Each station and platform has its own unique jingle, some of which became the backdrop to the memories of my trip. Rather than quoting the jingles directly, I used them as direction for melodic and harmonic material with rudimental style drum inspired by Drum Corps. -John Wolff