Ragamuffin, for sixteen horns
by Nathan Pawelek
$39
PROGRAM AND PERFORMANCE NOTES
Exploring the theme of community, Nathan Pawelek wrote "Ragamuffin" for sixteen horns as an accessible and fun ragtime, with smaller groupings combining into a larger ensemble to emphasize joining together while having a distinctive voice.
There are 8 horns in the horn-only ensemble, and 8 other horns in two percussion Banda parts. It's intended that the horn-only ensemble starts out at center stage while two "Bandas" of four people each would sit or stand on either side of the main ensemble. The Bandas begin the piece with percussive sounds, building one part on top of the other, in four-measure intervals, creating a percussion "machine."
At a certain point the Bandas join the main horn ensemble playing horn, musically, and they can also join the ensemble physically. Later in the piece, the Bandas return to their percussion parts, and they can either join in with the main ensemble then go back to being a Banda OR the main horn ensemble physically switches places with the Bandas. However the ensemble choses to combine, the addition of physical movement can add an exciting visual element to the performance, while emphasizing the theme of community.
The percussion instruments consist of triangle, tambourine, claves, guiro, spoons, shakers, cowbell, and police whistle. Alternatively, the ensemble can choose its own percussion instruments or sounds.
Exploring the theme of community, Nathan Pawelek wrote "Ragamuffin" for sixteen horns as an accessible and fun ragtime, with smaller groupings combining into a larger ensemble to emphasize joining together while having a distinctive voice.
There are 8 horns in the horn-only ensemble, and 8 other horns in two percussion Banda parts. It's intended that the horn-only ensemble starts out at center stage while two "Bandas" of four people each would sit or stand on either side of the main ensemble. The Bandas begin the piece with percussive sounds, building one part on top of the other, in four-measure intervals, creating a percussion "machine."
At a certain point the Bandas join the main horn ensemble playing horn, musically, and they can also join the ensemble physically. Later in the piece, the Bandas return to their percussion parts, and they can either join in with the main ensemble then go back to being a Banda OR the main horn ensemble physically switches places with the Bandas. However the ensemble choses to combine, the addition of physical movement can add an exciting visual element to the performance, while emphasizing the theme of community.
The percussion instruments consist of triangle, tambourine, claves, guiro, spoons, shakers, cowbell, and police whistle. Alternatively, the ensemble can choose its own percussion instruments or sounds.
duration circa: 3:45