Concertante Diversion (score only) J.B. Smith

Percussion Sextet Feature
6 Solo Percussion with Band
Number of Players:Standard + 6
Copyright:2004
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1, 2, 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horn 1, 2, 3, 4
Trumpet 1, 2, 3
Trombone 1, 2, 3
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba 1/2
String Bass
Percussion 1 (5 splash metals, 5 low metals, 5 high metals, 5 temple blocks, 5 roto toms)
Percussion 2 (medium metal, low wood, high metal, splash metal, high roto tom, 3 congas, suspended low jingles, crasher, tambourine, bass drum, and dumbek (or djembe)
Percussion 3 (bass drum, snare drum, 4 toms, hi-hat, splash cymbal, crash cymbals)
Percussion 4 (bass drum, snare drum, 2 toms, crash cymbal, bongos, 3 congas, guiro, 3 woodblocks, 2 timpani)
Percussion 5 (bass drum, snare drum, 3 toms, hi-hat, splash cymbal, cowbell, timbales, guiro, 2 woodblocks, 1 timpani)
Percussion 6 (bass drum, snare drum, 4 toms, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, muted gong, 2 pitches log drums, 2 cowbells, high woodblock ratchet)
Music can be defined simply as "organized sound." From folk tunes to large symphonic works, structure is the foundation on which musical expression is built. "Concertante Diversion" grew out of a single melodic idea that provided the structural foundation for the piece. From the melody, a phrase length was established, a harmonic scheme was implied and countermelodies were derived. Several complementary voices were created which offered a musical "block of stone" from which the piece was carved. The core phrase is then repeated nine times. Each iteration emphasizes different voices, rhythmic phrasings and instrumental groups. The piece progressively introduces all of the ideas in different guises and culminates with the entire family of ideas being played simultaneously at the end.

The soloists provide the rhythmic foundation of the work and also serve as a foil against the winds to establish structural lines through timbral contrast. In order for the shape of the piece to have clear lines of delineation, orchestration and harmonic movement were used to focus attention on various aspects of the large structure. The melody's ability to be broken up into different size melodic chunks provides changes in the rhythmic pacing of the work. Because the tune can be heard in groups of three, five, and seven subdivisions, the form can be broken up into various rhythmic groupings.

"Concertante Diversion" is dedicated to the talented and dedicated percussionists of the Arizona State University School of Music Symphonic Band, RIchard E. Strange, director.