Avalanche (Digital Copy)

Performance Notes

 AVALANCHE is a medium tempo piece.  This piece is best suited for middle- to high school level ensembles.  Rhythmically, AVALANCHE consists of ¼, ½ and whole rests, ¼ notes and 1/8^th notes in groups of 2 and 4.  There are also snare drum rolls.

 AVALANCHE starts calmly with the lighter, quieter instruments—no drums (except the conga).  The shaker provides a steady beat pulse.  The piece’s intensity starts to build with the entrance of drums (snare drum, tom-toms) at letter A.  At each of the 4 Rubato sections, performers MUST pay very close attention to the conductor’s cues and ample time should be given for each instrument’s part to be effective.  The suspended cymbal should start with a whisper, crescendo to mf then allowed to decay on its own.  Let the cymbal continue to vibrate with its natural sustain even after the performers resume (A Tempo).  The woodblock performer MUST start SLOWLY, work up to a semi-fast pulse, then SLOWLY decrease tempo.  This applies to the clave player at the 3^rd Rubato.  The entrance of the belltree, 4 before letter B should be prominent, with swift ‘down-swipes.’  The last Rubato starts with f slapstick soon followed by a roar from the bass drum.  The bass drum’s crescendo, from a whisper to a roar should be explosive.  This cannot be overstated; this IS the avalanche in progress.  The crash cymbals at letter B should be strong as well.  In essence, the bass drum and crash cymbals set the ensemble off to a faster tempo, new dynamic level and into a powerful unison.  The faster tempo represents running to evade this event.  At letters D and E, the bass drum serves to reinforce the accented notes, as does the mini crash cymbals.  The syncopated rhythm patterns, from letter E to F, represent the uncertainty of what has occurred.  Letter F represents a view of the aftermath.  The last 3 measures represents the fierce nature of an avalanche.

 TIPS:  “Mini Crash Cymbals” usually come in a box of assorted classroom percussion instruments.  They are referred to as “brass cymbals.”