Dark Filaments (Perc Ens 8)

Dark Filaments begins with an explosion from a single point that spins out two threads, a dark pentatonic melody and a short rhythmic burst, and follows as they entwine and change each other as intensity builds.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 8
Level: Medium | Duration: 3:50

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Bells, Marimba [4.3-octave] [shared w/ Perc. 4 & 5])
Percussion 2 (Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Xylophone)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone [shared w/ Perc. 4], Mark Tree)
Percussion 4 (Vibraphone [shared w/ Perc. 3], Marimba [4.3-oct.] [shared w/ Perc. 1 & 5])
Percussion 5 (Chimes, Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock, Marimba [4-oct.] [shared w/ Perc. 1 & 4])
Percussion 6 (Timpani [4], Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal [on 23” timpano])
Percussion 7 (Concert Bass Drum)
Percussion 8 (Snare Drum, Sizzle Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Cabasa)

Program Notes
Dark Filaments was written for 8 players at the advanced middle school or beginning high school level. The title refers to two threads (filaments) that run throughout the work, one melodic and one rhythmic. The main melodic idea is presented in the bells in measure 7. The pitch set is limited to G-A-B-flat-D-E in order make it approachable for younger players who may be new to mallet percussion. The xylophone introduces the main rhythmic motive in measure 18, which later occurs in keyboard and non-pitched percussion instruments. Most players utilize multiple instruments throughout the work. A couple parts were written using only one or two instruments should navigating multiple instruments be difficult for some players.