HardDrive

Notes to the Conductor

The mallet parts starting at measure 73 should have good tone quality with mild attack volume so that both attack and tone quality are good. Hearing the pitches is slightly more important than hearing the attacks. Starting in measure 74, the marimba uses an overhand position of the right hand mallets while the left hand plays underneath. The left hand always plays on the down beats while the right is always off.

The motif starting in measure 74 in the 1st clarinet and other similar motifs throughout this section should be smooth and light and none of them should "stick out" from being too loud or forceful.

Both cup and straight mutes are used in the trumpets and trombones while the F horns use only straight.

The technique first seen in measure 143 in the second trumpet which is later used in all the trumpets and F horns is to be executed as follows:

Tongue is ONLY used when a note is accented. A steady stream of air is to be used for these passages with the use of alternate fingerings providing the rhythm. (suggested alternate fingerings are provided) Even at high speed some alternate fingerings will effect the overall pitch causing notes to be out of tune. This is expected but should be kept to a minimum if at all possible.

Measure 187 "POWER SUPPLY" is to be performed Machine-like with punch and exactness in rhythms. Accents are on 1 and on most entrances. Do NOT let the dotted eighth followed by 16nth rest then 16nth note get Lazy and sound like triplets. Hot, crisp and edgy sounds like jazz/funk/swing bands are desirable. This section to the end is to be performed STRAIGHT NEVER SWING style in rhythm.

In the solo 1st clarinet, the note going from the end of measure 194 to the first note in 195 can be either a chromatic gliss. OR a lip bend.

In measures 230-231 in both the trumpets and trombones lip trill technique is to be used. If the trumpets are unable to lip trill, alternate fingerings may be used. The trombones may be allowed to use very soft tongues if they are unable to perform lip trills.

Both the Contra Bassoon and String Bass are optional however having them will add considerably overall to the work.

A "Dirty Snare" is like a house band snare and is not to be high pitched nor should it have a crisp snare sound.

Program Notes:

"HardDrive" is a programmatic work depicting life inside a computer motherboard. The inhabitants of this microscopic universe race its pathways, living life to its fullest. While most choose to live in customized folders in the hard drive, other more daring individuals choose to live elsewhere. International (computer to computer) travel or relocation is provided by the internet. Wireless is the preferred mode with the use of highly experienced "Wi-Fi Pilots."

Musically, we travel their world through the Bus Host & Serial Controllers, ports, processors, hard drive, sound card, video card and finally, the power supply which is where Wi-FI Pilots and other extreme thrill seekers choose to live!

HardDrive is constantly in motion exploring many textures combined with various rhythms, unusual techniques and dove tailed musical statements. Exciting from beginning to end, this work has the ability to stimulate both your ear and your imagination.