Techno Boom: Percussion Ensemble Score & Parts

Bright, propulsive energy. The Boomwhacker colors give it a modern, almost playful personality while the drumset grounds everything in contemporary rhythm. You get the satisfaction of a pop song without the heaviness of rock arrangements.

Percussion ensembles with a mix of pitched and unpitched instrumentalists. This works especially well for groups just beginning to blend Boomwhackers with drum kit, or ensembles looking for accessible contemporary pop repertoire that doesn't condescend.

• Lock the Boomwhacker parts into a unified pulse first; since there are four of them, rhythmic cohesion matters more than individual interpretation.
• Have the drummer listen closely to the Boomwhack rhythm rather than the other way around. The drumset part should anchor and support, not lead.
• Record a quick playthrough early in rehearsal so students can hear how the sections interact. Many will surprise themselves at how "real" it sounds.
• Experiment with dynamic contrast between your two sections. Even subtle volume shifts will make the form jump out.

Slide this onto a concert featuring contemporary percussion writing, or use it as a crowd-pleaser that sits between more serious works. It also serves as excellent motivation during the winter rehearsal season when energy flags.

• Maintaining a steady pulse in a syncopated groove
• Listening to ensemble parts other than your own
• Blending pitched percussion with drum kit
• Understanding call-and-response form in a pop context