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Novelty Ensemble - Head Talk Composed by Mark Ford
Instrumentation: Coated PTS pretuned heads(10"bright, 22"bass drum, 10"dark, 12"mellow, 14"mellow, 16"dark), bottom snare drum heads(14", 15"), 5 sets of paper heads(14", 15"), bongo heads(6", 8") 14" coated head, pinstripe heads(10", 14", 16")
Mark Ford's Head Talk provides the percussion quintet with a dose of sophisticated comic relief. The equipment necessary is somewhat unusual: six pretuned heads--ranging in size from a 10 to a 22; a used 14 snare head; two bongo heads; one 14 coated head; two Pinstripe heads; and five performer-prepared papered-heads for the surprise ending (each performer smashing the drumhead over the head of the drummer!). The five performers must have or develop a controlled sense of humor and must theatrically play off each other. The performers sit on the stage in a semi-circle, and Head Talk starts with the pretuned heads being twirled on stage. The opening rhythmic motive has a definitive rock-samba groove to it, and each performer ends up imitating the opening motive. The composition lasts about nine minutes. From having taught this composition and having observed it being performed, one of the primary benefits of its preparation is the individual and collective sense of timing that Head Talk requires. Similar to the timing necessary in a superb marching percussion section, Head Talk locks in this concept and stimulates the ensemble to truly transfer this educational idea in a variety of other musical settings. This composition must be memorized for an effective theatrical performance (it should look improvised). From the audience's perspective, Head Talk is thoroughly entertaining. Ford furnishes detailed performer notes that enhance the performance of this work immensely. Head Talk has been successfully performed at a variety of PAS Festivals such as PASIC '94 in Columbus, at PAS-Brazil, also at the recent MidWest clinic, and at Ford's home university, East Carolina. It is appropriate for the solid college percussion ensemble. - Jim Lambert Percussive Notes, April 1996
Novelty Ensemble - Heads Up! Composed by Mark Ford
Instrumentation: 5 timpani or bass drum heads (32" to 20"), 3 frame drums (small, medium, large), bottom snare head, police whistle with neck strap, bass drum or timpani head with the plastic cut out of the center Program Notes: Heads Up! is a companion piece for my earlier composition Head Talk (1987). This new composition is an excursion into further possibilities of a five-member percussion ensemble with only standard drum heads. The Heads Up! ensemble is required to perform primarily on timpani heads (or bass drum heads) and frame drums as they move around the stage. My sincere appreciation to Mr. Ju and the Ju Percussion Group from Taipei, Taiwan who commissioned Heads Up! Mr Ju's invitation and the many ensembles and audiences around the world who have enjoyed Head Talk made me realize that there was still a little fun left in drum heads!
"Heads Up!" was commissioned by the Ju Percussion Group from Taiwan, who performed it at PASIC 2003. As Ford describes in his prefatory remarks: "Heads Up! is a companion piece for my earlier composition Head Talk (1987). This new composition is an excursion into the further possibilities of a five-member percussion ensemble with only standard drum heads. The Heads Up! ensemble is required to perform primarily on timpani heads (or bass drum heads) and frame drums as they move around the stage." The percussion quintet is challenged to perform this theatrical composition in such a whimsical fashion as to evoke the unexpected from the audience acquainted with "Head Talk." Instead of the performers sitting, they stand and move with careful choreographed movements, with occasional kneeling performance instructions. The drumheads and associated equipment needed include five timpani or bass drum heads (graduated in sizes from 20" to 32" diameter), three frame drums, one bottom (snare) head, one police whistle, and one bass drum or timpani head with the plastic cut out so that the performer can make a "paper head" that is broken at the end of the composition. Specific instructions are clearly articulated by Ford in the preface. "Heads Up!" is certain to capture the whimsy of the mature percussion quintet. It is sophisticated, yet very entertaining for both performers and audience. — Jim Lambert Percussive Notes, April 2004
Ensemble Sheet Music Stick Schtick MEDIUM 8 Players (Performance Notes Included) Instrumentation: (8) 7' hardwood poles, (8) Hammer Handles or 3S Drumsticks
Ensemble Sheet Music Balloonology MEDIUM 5 Players (performance notes included) Instrumentation: Lots 'O Balloons!!!
Ensemble Sheet Music Men at Work MEDIUM 7 Players (Performance notes included) Instrumentation: Push Broom, Hand Saw, (2) Sanding Blocks, (2) Hammers, Several 2x4 Blocks, Large Screwdriver, Crowbar, Large Tape Measure, (2) Sawhorses, Several 16d Nails, (4) 20d Nails, Fake Cell Phone, Assorted Construction Props
Ensemble Sheet Music High Voltage MEDIUM 8 Players (Includes play along CD) Instrumentation: 6 Marching Snare Drums, 2 Marching Tenors, 6 Toms (graduating in pitch), 6 Ride Cymbals, 6 Cowbells, 2 Jam Blocks, (6 to 8) Music Stands, Black Draping Material, (4 to 5) Black Lights, Duct Tape, P. A. System or Guitar Amp
Ensemble Sheet Music Noises ON MEDIUM 9 Players (Performance notes included) Instrumentation: Large Rubber Trash Can, 30 Gallon Metal Trash Can, (2) 20 Gallon Metal Trash Cans, Plastic Bucket, Medium Metal Bucket, Small Metal Bucket, (4) Metal Trash Can Lids, Medium Metal Pot, Tin Cup, Police Whistle
Ensemble Sheet Music Double Dribble MEDIUM 6 Players Instrumentation: (5) Basketballs, Police Whistle, Samba Whistle
Ensemble Sheet Music Office MAX MEDIUM 4 Players (Includes sound effects CD for performance) Instrumentation: (4) Desks, (4) Computers w/ Keyboards, (5) Coffee Mugs, (4) Swivel Chairs, (2) Paper Clip Boxes, (2) Staplers, Newspaper, (3) Various Size Trash Cans, 2 Drawer Filing Cabinet, (2) Receptionist Bells, P.A. System
Ensemble Sheet Music Halloween Rap MEDIUM 4 - 32 Players ((SATB Novelty Vocal-Includes performance/rehearsal CD)) Instrumentation: Scary Voices... This one is loads of fun!
Ensemble Sheet Music Lids MEDIUM 5-32 Players Instrumentation: Tons O' 30 Gallon Metal Trash Cans, Not as many Rubber Trash Cans
Ensemble Sheet Music Sacks Appeal EASY-MEDIUM 4-8 Players Instrumentation: One plastic sack per player
Ensemble Sheet Music Clap Happy MEDIUM 4 - 12 Players (players should be in multiples of 4) Instrumentation: Hands, Bellies, Chests, Fingers, Stomps
Ensemble Sheet Music Cymbalectomy MEDIUM-ADVANCED 6 Players Instrumentation: (2) Hi Hats, Splash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, China Cymbal
Ensemble Sheet Music Rockin' Rickie Rocket MEDIUM 5-25 Players Instrumentation: 4, 8, 12 or 16 Voices, (1) Extremely Self-Confident Rock 'N Roll Air Drummer
Ensemble Sheet Music Junkyard Rumble MEDIUM 8-20 Players Instrumentation: (4+) Metal Buckets w/ rivets, 5-Gallon Plastic Bucket(s), Wooden Poles, Large Rubber Trash Can(s), Paper Bag(s)
Ensemble Sheet Music Talkin' Trash MEDIUM 10-40 Players Instrumentation: Plastic Buckets, Small Metal Cans, Medium Metal Garbage Cans, Large Plastic Garbage Cans, Metal Garbage Can Lids
Ensemble Sheet Music Barnyard Boogie MEDIUM 6 Players Instrumentation: Those that can: Bok, Qwack, Meow, Baaa, Murhh, Snort, Ney, Wruf, and Er, Er, Errrr! (Optional Washboard and Thump)
Ensemble Sheet Music Smash Getaway MEDIUM-ADVANCED 4 Players Instrumentation: (4) 20 or 30 Gallon Metal Trash Cans (with lids), (4) 3 or 5 Gallon Metal Pails, (4) 5 Gallon Plastic Buckets, (2) Mounted Cowbells, (8) Snare Drum Stands, (4) Cymbal Stands, (4) Bass Drum Pedals, Optional Baby Powder
Ensemble Sheet Music Fast Break MEDIUM 10 Players Instrumentation: (10) Basketballs, PA System with CD player
Row Loff's production Bashin' is a darn fun piece. You get to play on DIY instruments called Canbots...learn how to make them . This would be great for your middle school to high school aged kids to play in a concert. It features fun rhythms, intensely fun instrumentation and the chance to work on multiple dynamic and rhythmic variations. Bonus? It comes with a tutor CD to help you and your students throughout the instruction process of the feature. Awesome!
Ensemble Sheet Music Me Tarzan MEDIUM 8-16 Players Instrumentation: Bellies, Chests, Hands, Knees, Feet
Ensemble Sheet Music Kawf Dooda Code MEDIUM 8-16 Players Instrumentation: Nasal Passages, Throats, Hands, Voices, Finger Snaps, Seltzer, Glasses, Hankies, Water, (and a willingness to be a little wacky)
Ensemble Sheet Music Brooms Hilda MEDIUM 6 Players (includes staging and choreography) Instrumentation: 6 push brooms
Ensemble Sheet Music Stinkin' Garbage MEDIUM 4-32 Players Instrumentation: (1) Large Rubber Garbage Can, As Many 30 gallon Garbage Cans (with lids) AS YOU CAN STAND!
Ensemble Sheet Music Diners Club MEDIUM 6 Players (for kitchen implements) Instrumentation: 3 small tables, 3 chairs, 3 plates, 3 knives, 3 forks, 3 pitched glasses, 3 menus, 3 pair of small shakers, 1 pair of large shakers, 1 metal bowl, 3 pitched wood bowls, 3 pitched metal bowls, 3 pitched tupperware bowls, 3 pair of wooden cooking spoons, 1 pair of wisks, grater, 3 aluminum pie pans, 3 whipped cream pies (optional for pie in da face!)
Ensemble Sheet Music Short Circuits MEDIUM 4-8 Players (Includes play along CD) Instrumentation: (8 or 4) Marching Snare Drums, 8 Toms (graduating in pitch), (6 to 8) Music Stands, Black Draping Material, (4 to 5) Black Lights, Duct Tape, P. A. System or Guitar Amp
Ensemble Sheet Music Pulp Friction MEDIUM 8 Players Instrumentation: (1) White pages phone book, (1) Yellow pages phone book, 8 1/2 X 11 Paper (2 sheets)
The Christmas Gig arr. by Brooks, Crockarell, Steinquest, and Hearnes (22:23), Medium-AdvancedPlayers: 4 Instrumentation: Bells, Vibes, 4 1/3 Octave Marimba, Snare Drum, Hi Jam Block, (2) Lo Jam Blocks, Flexatone, Siren, Ratchet, Slapstick, Splash Cymbal, Mounted Tambourine, Bicycle Horn, Slide Whistle, (2) Suspended Cymbals - 1 small, Duck Call, Triangle, Sleigh Bells, Ride Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Mark Tree/Wind Chimes, Bass Drum w/pedal, Shaker, Sizzle Cymbal
Ensemble Sheet Music Noveltysicles EASY to INTERMEDIATE Noveltysicles: An entertaining collection of 8 novelty ensembles written for the easy to intermediate percussion ensemble (Includes DVD & CD)
