Debris Field (Perc Ens 14)

Debris Field takes inspiration from the suspicious activity and various accounts of extraterrestrial flying saucers near Roswell, New Mexico in the 40s and 50s. Flannigan uses unique sounds and creative compositional techniques to contrast an ‘otherworldly’ atmosphere with rich keyboard textures and exciting rhythmic punctuation to take the audience on a captivating journey from start to finish.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 14
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 10:10

Instrumentation
Percussion 1: Crotales [2 octaves], Timpani [4 drums], 2 Cell Phones; bow
Percussion 2: Glockenspiel, Brake Drum, Tambourine, 2 Cell Phones, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, China Cymbal (SD, BD, & China shared w/ Perc. 14)
Percussion 3: Vibraphone, bow
Percussion 4: Vibraphone, 2 Cell Phones
Percussion 5: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal, Slapstick
Percussion 6: Vibraphone, China Cymbal, Snare Drum, bow
Percussion 7: Marimba [4-octave], 2 Cell Phones
Percussion 8: Marimba [4-octave], Splash Cymbal, Triangle, 2 Cell Phones, Air Raid Siren
Percussion 9: Marimba [4.5-octave], Suspended Cymbal, Triangle
Percussion 10: Marimba [4.5-octave], Triangle
Percussion 11: Marimba [5-octave], 2 Cell Phones, Suspended Cymbal (may be shared), brushes
Percussion 12: Marimba [5-octave], Wind Chimes, 2 Cell Phones
Percussion 13 [side 1]: Bass Drum, Tam-tam, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 14 [side 2]: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Concert Toms [4], Thunder Sheet, China Cymbal, Finger Cymbals

Program Notes
On June 25, 1947, pilot Kenneth Arnold spotted several objects skimming across the sky above Mt. Rainier, Washington. As newspapers picked up the story, more sightings emerged, including what would become one of the greatest mysteries in American history.

Just outside of Roswell, New Mexico, ranch foreman Mac Brazel was in a hurry to make his rounds when he discovered a large area of wreckage on the property. When he later heard the news from Mt. Rainier he returned to collect the debris, certain they were the remains of a flying disk. He reported his findings to the local authorities, which were then turned over to the Roswell Army Air Force Base who released multiple, conflicting reports of the incident. Though many who worked on the base at the time have stated that nothing of note occurred in the summer of 1947, civilians and military personnel have come forward throughout the years to tell their version of events, including those who claim they witnessed the crash and discovered small bodies with large eyes. Amidst the clashing rumors of flying saucers, weather balloons, and alien autopsies, some witnesses and their families suddenly fell silent, while others are said to have perished under improbable circumstances. Some stories have been corroborated and others proven false, while a handful of signed and retracted affidavits from those involved lead to further ambiguity.

75 years later, the copious accounts of what took place in Roswell remain fluid, but the magnitude of curiosity created through these events is unyielding, as our thirst for knowledge grows, and we continue to find new ways to open our minds. Debris Field follows the stories told by apparent witnesses to the crash and its aftermath, from beaming lights, crashing ships, and a legendary coverup, to a stoic look towards the sky. Are we truly alone?

OU Percussion Orchestra, Andrew Richardson, conductor