Convective Motives - Michael Varner [DIGITAL SCORE]

This percussion sextet written predominantly in 6/4 phrases in alternating bars of 5/8 and 7/8. The 6/4 motivic development blends and creates a rhythmic tension against the 2-3-2-2-3 beaming. A rhythmic motif of sixteenth notes on the “two” groupings drive the piece toward mysterious or aggressive versions of the motif. Intertwined are micro and macro rhythmic development so that often 5/8-7/8 will be overlaid with 5/16-7/16 or 5/4-7/4 developments.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 6
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 6:30

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Marimba, 2 Medium Toms)
Percussion 2 (Marimba, Bongos, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 3 (Marimba, 2 Low Congas)
Percussion 4 (Bass Marimba, 2 Low Toms)
Percussion 5 (Vibraphone, 2 Medium Congas)
Percussion 6 (Bells, 2 Gongs, China Cymbal, Medium Crash Cymbals, Ribbon Crasher, 2 Medium Congas, Hi-HatTwo Woodblocks, Multi Drum, Bass Drum)

Program Notes
Convective Motives is a percussion sextet premiered by the University of Texas at Arlington Percussion Ensemble November 2016. It is a “footprint” composition meaning the setup and instrumentation are the same as Prevalent Motives allowing a transition without delay from one piece to the next. The composition, written predominantly in 6/4, intriguingly phrases in alternating patterns of 5/8 and 7/8. The 6/4 patterns blend and create a unique rhythmic challenge for the players.