Formula

Formula is a percussion quartet that will keep the audience entertained as well as providing a challenge to its players. The piece incorporates four different styles of playing that will showcase the range of its performers and is a great programming choice for recitals along with small ensemble contests.

Program Notes

The intent with Formula was to bring together 4 different approaches to the concert percussion quartet while providing an entertaining, diverse experience to the audience. The work has four distinct sections that comprise the work, including a split section, a texture section, a concert snare section, and a drum set groove based section. The beginning statement of the work provides a small preview of each section.

Each different section is led by a particular member of the ensemble: Percussion 1 is the main voice in the concert snare portion, Percussion 2 in the splits section, Percussion 3 in the texture section, while Percussion 4 is the main voice in the drum set/groove section. Along with being the main voice, each leader will also improvise in the style of their section. The piece ends with fragments of each previous section while giving each player one last chance to shine.

Grade Level: Medium
Copyright: 2020
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Percussion

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Instrumentation

Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 2: 2 High Toms, 2 Woodblocks, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 3: Concert Bass Drum (shared w/ Perc. 4), 2 Low Toms, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 4: Concert Bass Drum (shared w/ Perc. 3), Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Hi-Hat