Mainspring (Perc Ens 12)

Mainspring is a vibrant and highly energetic work for 12 percussionists that serves as an excellent opener or closer for a concert program. It was commissioned by Spring High School Percussion Ensemble to open their 2023 performance at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 12
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 3:40

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (8.5"x11" spiral bound)
Xylophone 1: Woodblock, Glockenspiel
Xylophone 2: Woodblock
Vibraphone 1: Woodblock
Vibraphone 2: Woodblock
Marimba 1: 4.5-octave (optional 5-octave), Woodblock
Marimba 2: 4.5-octave (optional 5-octave), Woodblock
Marimba 3: 4.5-octave (optional 5-octave), Woodblock
Marimba 4: 5-octave, Woodblock
Percussion 1: Woodblock, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-Tam
Percussion 2: Woodblock, Vibraslap, 2 Coffee Cans, Chimes, 2 Cowbells, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 3: Woodblock, Egg Shaker, Bongos
Percussion 4: Kick Drum, Woodblock, Splash Cymbal, 2 Toms

Program Notes
A mainspring is a spiral ribbon of spring steel that serves as a power source for mechanical watches, metronomes, music boxes, and wind-up toys. When wound up, via a knob or key, the spiral is made tighter and stores energy to power a device. Expanding pitch sets and gradually increasing rhythmic divisions are used to represent the winding up of a mainspring and provide the energy and momentum that propel the work.

Mainspring was commissioned by JD Guzman and the Spring High School Percussion Ensemble for performance at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.