Drips (Band Gr. 4.5)

Originally written as a section feature for 10 percussionists, Drips is an exciting work for wind ensemble with creative use of percussion textures and melodic development through fragmentation of musical ideas.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Ruby Band Series
Level: 4.5 | Duration: 5:15

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (11"x17" spiral bound)

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
B-flat Euphonium T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Bells, Chimes, Bongos
Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Chimes
Percussion 3: Marimba
Percussion 4: Xylophone, Woodblock
Percussion 5: Cabasa, Shekere, Snare Drum
Percussion 6: Ride Cymbal, Triangle, Bass Drum, Hi-Hat, Suspended Cymbal

Program Notes
Drips was originally composed as a commissioned work for wind ensemble with a ten-person percussion section. The percussion and winds existed in equally important and balanced roles. Later, with as few changes as possible, the percussion section was reduced to seven players to facilitate programming the work with a more practical wind ensemble instrumentation. This five-minute through-composed work features an evolving dance of rhythmic and melodic structures alternating between sections of drips (set in 5/4) and flowing water (set in 9/8).

The composition begins with sparse non-pitched percussion sounds that become the underlying ostinato for the opening section. Keyboard percussion and woodwinds enter with increasingly frequent “drips” as the piece begins to come to life. The entrance of the tuba completes the opening section, after which the dance of the rainfall commences with a statement in the marimba and vibraphone, joined shortly after by the baritone saxophone. Various melodic fragments in the woodwinds and percussion are set over this dance while the brass infuses relatively soft, sustained chords that gradually shift in color as the instrumentation changes. The piece builds to an initial full-ensemble climax before returning to a relaxed, thinner texture over which the piccolo plays a simple melody. Soon, many of the voices fade away and the piece transitions into a flowing 9/8 ostinato, contrasting the “drips” section. The tuba and bassoon soon introduce the bass line for this new dance, over which are layered falling lines in the woodwinds and a lyrical melody in the upper brass. A second statement of both sections of the work, with increasing complexity and slight variations, is followed by the reprise of this 9/8 bass line, now in the piccolo and clarinet. Each voice in the ensemble joins in as the piece reaches a final climax in the final 5/4 measure.

– J.G.