Sticks & Stones (pt.1)

After months of letting this piece percolate in my skullpot, I have put pen to paper and begun making some hard decisions about my next wind orchestra piece, STICKS & STONES.

(For the unenlightened, this is going to be a drumset feature to be premiered by drummer/percussionist/musical badass Shilo Stroman, with the Mountain View High School Wind Ensemble, all under the dextrous baton of Mr. Peter Toews)

But instead of starting with score paper, I've started with a plain piece of notebook paper. Writing down what I want to do: feature all the different instruments that make up a drumset, display the different tones and techniques on a drumset, allow our stickman to show off his considerable skills, etc. AND what I don't want to do: avoid overwriting the drumset part (rhythm section players ALWAYS shine brighter when you give them LESS musical confinement), reserving the drummer to just playing beats, etc. etc. etc. Then I've tried to elaborate on the decisions I've made -- really make it clear to myself what I'm thinking about doing with this piece. If you can articulate it, you can do it. If you can't articulate it, chances are, it's not clear in your own mind just yet...

I still haven't written a note yet, but I've already made alot of important decisions...