The sequel to “SODASONG”, “SODASONG 2” is a solo for multi-percussion + electronic playback.
Since many schools continue to remain closed in early 2021 (due to COVID-19), “SODASONG 2” was designed for percussionists to play with materials found throughout their homes.
While originally composed for 5 soda cans, “SODASONG 2” can be performed on any collection of five objects (glass bottles, plates, paint cans, tom-toms, etc).
“SODASONG” is a great piece for students with limited access to instruments and for students interested in or looking to explore multi-percussion and electro-acoustic music.
(written for Neil McNulty + Jean Carlo Ureña Gonzalez
About “Beauty & Ruin”
“BEAUTY & RUIN” is a trio for two percussionists + electric guitar to be performed as three attacca movements.
The two multi-percussion setups are identical, but Player 3’s instruments should be lower in pitch. Each setup includes: (1) snare drum [drum kit or concert], (1) floor tom [or kick drum mounted so that the batter head is facing upwards], (1) metal object.
While not specified in the score, the electric guitarist should feel free to include effects (ex. overdrive, chorus, delay, etc.) as they see fit.
Structurally, “BEAUTY & RUIN” is inspired by the percussion music of Steve Reich: three attacca movements organized as ‘fast-slow-fast.’ Musically, “BEAUTY & RUIN” is inspired by the music of Steve Reich and by 1990’s alternative rock music – specifically that of Dinosaur Jr., Sugar, and Bob Mould. The title, “BEAUTY & RUIN,” is also a reference to Bob Mould’s 2014 album of the same name.
The two percussion parts create a stereo effect throughout much of the piece, so it is recommended that the percussion setups are staged facing each other with the electric guitarist between them, facing the audience.
“BEAUTY & RUIN” is great for students looking for a dramatic chamber piece that blurs the line between contemporary percussion and alternative rock music.
*guitar sheet music is included as both Guitar Tab + Standard Notation
dedicated to the University of Michigan Percussion Studio
About “SodaSong”
“SODASONG” was written in April of 2020 after a conversation with Doug Perkins. Since most of the United States was under lockdown (due to COVID-19), many percussionists and students found themselves without access to instruments owned by schools and universities.
“SODASONG” was written as a multi-percussion solo designed for percussionists to play with materials found throughout their homes. While originally composed for 5 soda cans, “SODASONG” can be performed on any five pitched objects (glass bottles, plates, paint cans, tom-toms, etc).
Structurally, “SODASONG” switches between duple-meter and triple-meter sections, each with their own melodic themes.
“SODASONG” is a great piece for students with limited access to instruments and for students interested in or looking to explore multi-percussion music.
Thank you to Neil McNulty, Ancel Neeley, Pete Nichols, Doug Perkins, Hohner Porter, Johnathan Rickard, Chris Sies, Sui Lin Tam + Daniel Vila for being a part of the #SodaSong digital world premiere on April 14th, 2020.
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