Electric Cathedral (solo malletSTATION + percussion quartet)

Inspired by electricity, electronic devices, and energy as a whole, electric cathedral brings a new role to the malletSTATION: concerto soloist. This electroacoustic piece combines hardware, software, and spatial elements to create an immersive, yet inviting, listening experience for both performers and audience members.

Genre: Solo malletSTATION + Percussion Quartet | # of Players: 5
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 11:45

DOWNLOAD PERFORMANCE MATERIALS

Instrumentation
Soloist:
Mallet MIDI-Controller (not limited to but Pearl malletSTATION™ is preferred)
The soloist will control all electronics though use of a Mac Laptop with MainStage Stereo Speaker System (and all necessary components - cables, mixer, etc.)
4 Hard Mallets (hard cord mallets recommended)
Drum Sticks (for percussion sounds)
Sustain Pedal
USB-A to USB-C adaptor or USB-C dock

Percussion 1
Glockenspiel (with pedal preferred), Xylophone, Multi-Percussion Bass Drum (laid flat), Metal Spring / Aluminum Coil, Ribbon Crasher, Splash Cymbal (8” preferred), Whirly (D4), Audio Device (to play, with or without bluetooth speaker, pre-made tracks)

Percussion 2
Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal (18” or larger preferred), Bongos, Cymbal Stack, Zil-Bel, Whirly (E-flat4), Audio Device (to play, with or without bluetooth speaker, pre-made tracks)

Percussion 3
Marimba (Low F), Chimes, Hi-Hat, 2 Low Toms, Whirly (A5), Audio Device (to play, with or without bluetooth speaker, pre-made tracks)

Percussion 4
4 Timpani, Single Low D Crotale for Bowing, China Cymbal, Whirly (B-flat5), Audio Device (to play, with or without bluetooth speaker, pre-made tracks)

Program Notes
Electric Cathedral is a three movement work centered around the malletSTATION as a soloist. The music is inspired by electricity, electronic devices, and energy as a whole. The “cathedral” part of the title is inspired by the facilities at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University. Ever since I was a graduate student there, I have always wanted to capture the electric and spiritual activities of what happens in that space (rehearsals, concerts, and overall acts of devotion to music).

The movements are titled as follows:
Spark
This title comes from the line, “A great flame follows a little spark,” found in Dante’s Paradiso. In this movement, the controller represents Dante as it leads the listener into the depths of hell to reemerge, resurrected and reenergized, in movement III. The malletSTATION is widely seen as a fantastic tool in education, pit orchestras, front ensembles, and practice sessions. I intend to bring a new and significant role to this device: concerto instrument.

Ohm, or a Meditation on Resistance
This title is a play on words. The primary meaning is significant because ohms are a measure of electrical resistance. In a deeper meaning, the homophonic vowel “om” represents the sound of the universe and promotes resistance (a wandering level of focus in one’s self).

Canticles of Infinite Radiant Light
This movement will contain hymns to the electronic devices that we use every day. It will musically depict how we can use solar energy to give back (praise?) to that same solar entity (Ra).

– M.C.

CONSORTIUM
Consortium Leader, Dr. Tommy Dobbs, Oklahoma City University
Darci Wright
Dr. Matthew Jordan
Dr. Andrew Eldridge
Louis Raymond-Kolker
Matthew Hernandez
Chris Nadeau
Austin Smith
Matthew Nichols