05.22.08

Bb clarinet, alto saxophone, cello, piano, percussion (two), and sine waves (2008)

Details of instrumentation: Bb clarinet, Eb alto saxophone (+ mountain dew bottle), ‘cello (+ straw), piano, percussion one (kitchen pot, balloon drum, large tom, 750 mL wine bottle, chinese cymbal, sizzle cymbal, high woodblock, five octave marimba, crotales, bass bow, various sticks, mallets, brushes, metal banjo finger picks, pencils, and marbles), percussion two (kitchen pot, balloon drum, concert bass drum, snare, sizzle cymbal, egg shaker, hi-hat, 750 mL wine bottle, bamboo wind chimes, vibraphone, crotales, bass bow, various sticks, mallets, brushes, metal banjo finger picks, pencils, and marbles), prerecorded sine waves.

In 05.22.08, the title of the work is nothing more than a time stamp; the date being when the incorporated field recording, in this case, in the food court of a mall in Virginia, was obtained. As the microphone remained stationary during the recording process, there is a certain static element to the observed rhythms and texture, leaving significance to any event of higher amplitude or other unique qualities.

The loudest portions of the field recording served as a point of departure rhythmically. Additionally, one harmony predominates through the piece, continually moving in and out of focus. This harmony is based on the features inherent in sound as well as the physical properties of the incorporated instruments.

The music is much like the original field recording, lacking concern with traditional thoughts of what came before and what lies ahead, simply living in the moment. It strives for an intangible parallel between an awareness of one’s surrounding and music inspired by this environment. Positive (and negative) changes of various magnitudes can occur in predictable (and less predictable) ways. While the work stands as its own musical entity, it is hoped people, in particular, our world’s leaders, operate their lives in similar manner, observing how we impact each other and the planet in which we live.