Jim Casella
Stormbreak
for percussion octet (and optional wind ensemble)
Stormbreak by Jim Casella Š 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP), Portland, Oregon. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Printed in USA. www.tapspace.com
Notice of Liability: Any duplication, adaptation, or arrangement of any text or composition contained herein requires the written consent of the copyright owner. No part of any composition contained herein may be photocopied or reproduced in any way without permission. Unauthorized uses are an infringement of the U.S. Copyright act and are punishable by law.
TSPCE-33
Notes Stormbreak was written to be a sort of sequel to Technology - another moderately simple percussion ensemble for eight players. When I first wrote Technology, I had no intentions of publishing it, nor did I expect it would eventually become as popular as it has. Stormbreak opens with a collection of natural effect sounds the ocean drum, swirling shakers, and rainstick. As these die out, the storm breaks and a rhythmic “tip of the hat,” to Technology kicks in on the rim of the snare drum. As rhythmic elements layer in, the motive of Stormbreak becomes clear and will continue to make itself known throughout the piece. Utilizing frequent repeats in most parts, it offers a great way for young, intermediate players to become more comfortable with the concept of “grooving” in their own part while placing that groove within the mix of their fellow groove-playing compadres. This is a more challenging skill for younger players to latch onto since they can often get wrapped up in reading the notes on the page, just trying to play parts correctly. My hope is that once players are comfortable with their own parts, they can “branch out” from the printed page a bit, and focus their attention more on hearing how their parts mingle with others. If all players can do this, the various syncopated elements of the piece will come together nicely to form a solid groove and, most likely, a catchy showpiece that audiences will love.
Stormbreak was written for the Lanier Middle School percussion ensemble and symphonic band under the direction of Hunter McRae. It premiered to a large audience at the University of Georgia Middle School Festival in 2007 where it received a roaring response. This piece can stand alone as a percussion octet, but it’s also written with the option of being played by a full wind ensemble. During wind ensemble concerts, the percussion section can sometimes be relegated to the back, not always participating as much as wind players. So this option acts as something of a percussion ensemble “feature”to be programmed into wind ensemble concerts. If chosing to perform this as a wind ensemble piece, there are a variety of effect elements that wind players are called upon to perform. For starters, the opening “storm” can be performed by as many players in the ensemble as you’d like by distributing ocean drums, egg shakers, and rainsticks throughout the ensemble. If you don’t have an abundance of ocean drums, you might consider fabricating some using two large drumheads with some buckshot inside, then sealing them together with some tape. Use as many rainsticks as you can get your hands on. Perhaps using some subtle wind chimes can help set the mood. These sounds can even begin long before the piece starts while the percussionists are finalizing their setup. At various points, wind players are asked to make “clicking” sounds by tapping on the keys of their instruments. At the start of the piece, these sounds should simulate the random pitter-patter of rain falling. The more random, the better. Since this is a subtle effect, experiment with instruments to find techniques that produce the most sound. Tapping valves and keys can create an interesting texture if done by several people. You may even try lightly tapping on the bells of the larger brass instruments with fingernails. Be creative! Later in the piece (rehearsal F), the tapping comes back, but this time it is to be performed rhythmically to accompany the percussion solos. This is followed by some call-and-response between hand claps and foot stomps. Again, strive to create the most sound possible for the greatest effect. This folio actually contains two scores. The first is the full score for winds and percussion. At the conclusion of that is a percussion score with wind staves omitted. The percussion parts are identical in both scores. Only the formatting is different. -Jim Casella
Instrument/Parts list Stormbreak can be performed as a percussion octet, or optionally as a percussion feature with wind ensemble. The percussion ensemble requires the following instruments. Player 1 - glockenspiel, bongos
Player 5 - snare drum, brake drum
Player 2 - xylophone, congas
Player 6 - 4 concert toms, hihat, ocean drum, cowbell
Player 3 - chimes, rainstick, vibra slap, suspended cymbal, mounted finger cymbal, woodblock
Player 7 - tambourine, triangle, shaker, splash cymbal, china cymbal
Player 4 - timpani (plus cymbal for opening effect)
Player 8 - bass drum (with towel attached for quick changes from muffled to unmuffled)
If performing Stormbreak with a wind ensemble, the following parts are included. Please note, there is only one part per instrument, but some contain divisi parts which should be divided within sections accordingly. Also, if an ensemble doesn’t have certain instrumentation (such as the contrabass clarinet or basson), it won’t harm the effect of the piece to leave them out. flute oboe clarinet (Bb) bass clarinet (Bb) contrabass clarinet (Eb) bassoon alto saxaphone tenor saxaphone baritone saxaphone trumpet (Bb) french horn (F) trombone baritone tuba
Stormbreak
Rainfall/clicking effects may begin prior to official "start time" of the piece, perhaps even while percussionists are finishing preparing setup.
Flute
Clarinet in Bb
random clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
Contrabass Clarinet in Eb
Bassoon
A (2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
Driving
(10)
(8)
(10)
(8)
(10)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
mp
swirling egg shakers
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(8)
(10)
mp
rainsticks
random clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
mp
ocean drum swirling
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Jim Casella
Mysterious q = 120
Oboe
for percussion ensemble and winds
random clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
mp random clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
mp
tapping keys of instrument
pp
pp
random clicking sounds by
Alto Saxophone
mp
random clicking sounds by
tapping keys of instrument
Tenor Saxophone
mp
Baritone Saxophone
random clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument or fingernails agains bell
mp
tapping fingernails against bell Trumpet in Bb random clicking sounds by
mp
random clicking sounds by
tapping keys of instrument
Horn in F
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
random clicking sounds by tapping fingernails against main tube
mp
random clicking sounds by tapping fingernails against main tube
mp
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Chimes
Timpani
Snare Drum
Hi Hat Concert Toms
Percussion
Bass Drum
A
Mysterious q = 120
ocean drum
p
fade out...
(2)
(4)
(6)
p
p
Driving
rainstick
upside down cymbal on timp head. Random glisses w/pedal.
p
med soft plastic mallets
LH cross stick
RH on rim
mp
shaker
mp
(2)
(4)
(2)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
(2)
diamond noteheads = towel draped over batter head for short, muffled sound
w/staccato mallet
p
© 2009 Tapspace Publications LLC (ASCAP), Portland, Oregon. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
2
Fl
13
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Bsn
B
p
Alt Sax
p
Cla
p
Ob
p
p
p
p
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
Tpt
Hn
p
p
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
X
Chim
p
B
mp
mf
vibra slap
fade out...
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
BD
TSPCE-33
med. mallets
mp
(4)
Perc
mf
(4)
R.S.
(2)
(6)
mp
upper notes = shoulder HH w/sticks lower notes = tip of stick
mp
(8)
mp
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
20
Fl
Ob
Cla
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
Tpt
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
sus cym
(4)
R.S.
BD
Perc
HH. Toms
SD
Bar
Timp
Chim
X
G
Tbn
Tba
Hn
(2)
Alt Sax
Bsn
3
(6)
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
4 C
27
Fl
f
Ob
f
Cla
f
f f f
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
f
Ten Sax
f
Bar Sax Tpt f
Hn
f
Tbn
f
Bar
Tba
X
Chim
Timp
SD
chokes
f
ff
ff
fp
l.v.
f fp
ff ff
fp
f
ff
ff
f
mute
ff
ff
ff
f
f
ff
ff
f
C
ff
ff
f
G
ff ff ff
ff
mp
ff
dim.
mp
4 toms w/sticks
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
TSPCE-33
f
splash cym
unmuffled
f
f
p
china cym
ff
ff
tambourine w/fingers (position on knee for short sound)
mp
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
Fl
33
Ob
Cla
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
Tpt
Hn
D
5
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
D
f
X
Chim
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
mp
chimes
mp
mf
l.v. mp
Perc
BD
Hihat gradually open
p
(muffled)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
mp
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
6
E
Fl 40
mp Ob
Cla
mp
mp
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
Tpt Hn
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
f
f
X
Chim
Timp
SD
E
mf
f
mf
f
mp
mp
R.S. sim. as before
mp
f
HH
Perc
BD
TSPCE-33
mp
f
f
(2)
(4)
triangle
4 toms w/sticks
HH. Toms
(2)
(4)
(2)
(4)
mp
mp
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
46
Fl
Cla
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Hn
Tbn
Bar
Tba
X
Chim
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
mp
mp
mp
(6)
Perc
(6)
(6)
BD
f
f
f
f
f
f
f
f
fff
f
(2)
(2)
fff fff
fff
f
fff
f
f
mp
f
7
f
f
mp
mp
mp
mp
Ten Sax
G
Alt Sax
Tpt
Bsn
Bar Sax
Ob
(2)
fff
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
8
Fl
F
52
Ob
Cla
CB Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
Ten Sax
(4)
rainsticks
(2)
G (Toms Solo)
(Snare Solo)
(2)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
Bas Cla
Bar Sax
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(4)
random ocean drum swirls
(6)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(2)
(4)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(2)
(4)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(2)
(4)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(4)
(6)
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping keys of instrument or fingernails agains bell
fingernails against bell tapping Tpt Rhythmic clicking sounds by
Hn
Tbn
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping fingernails against main tube
Bar
Tba
G
Rhythmic clicking sounds by tapping fingernails against main tube
F bongos w/rattan shaft
egg shakers
G (Toms Solo)
(Snare Solo)
f
congas w/rattan shaft
X
f
Chim
Timp
SD
sus cym (crash)
f
(2)
mf
p
on bowl w/back of mallet
mounted finger cym w/triangle beater
3 3 6
(2)
4 toms w/sticks
(4)
(2)
tambourine (as before)
Perc
BD
mp
mp
TSPCE-33
f HH. Toms
p
f
(6)
(4)
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
Fl
H (Timpani Solo)
59
(2)
Cla
(2)
Bas Cla
(4)
Ob
9
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
X
(2)
(4)
(2)
Chim.
(2)
CB Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
Tpt
Hn
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
Timp
SD
H (Timpani Solo)
pedal E to F and back
ff
brake drum (dry, w/stick)
pp
3 3 3 6
rims
HH. Toms
(2)
Perc
(2)
BD
(4)
(2)
(4)
(2)
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
10
Fl
I
66
Ob
handclaps
handclaps
Cla
handclaps
handclaps
CB Cla
Bsn
handclaps
Alt Sax
handclaps
Ten Sax
handclaps
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
mp
Tpt Hn
handclaps
handclaps
Bas Cla
Bar Sax
footstomps
footstomps
footstomps
Tbn
footstomps
Bar
footstomps
Tba
(2)
(4)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(4)
G
I
X
ff
ff
woodblock w/cord
Chim.
Timp
ff
HH. Toms
BD
3
ff
3
snare drum 3
3
ff
HH
3
ff
(2)
(2)
f
3
cowbell
ff
ff
f
brake drum 3
f
TSPCE-33
3
ff
Perc
f
ff
snare drum
SD
3
ff
splash
ff
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
Fl
74
11
J
f
Cla
f
f
CB Cla
f
Bsn
f
f
Bar Sax
Hn
Tbn
G
f
(stomps align w/hihat)
(stomps align w/hihat)
(stomps align w/hihat)
(stomps align w/hihat)
f
Timp
(6)
(6)
(4)
(8)
HH. Toms
(2)
ff
china cym
Perc
(8)
(8)
(6)
ff
brake drum snare drum
ff
tom
ff
ff
HH
fff
f
chimes
mf
mf
(4)
(2)
mf
triangle
fff
mf
mp
(2)
(2)
fff
f
fff
ff
fff
mp
J
mp
xylo
ff
BD
fff
mp
rim shots
SD
mp
glock
(6)
Chim.
mp
ff
X
f
Tba
f
mf (stomps align w/hihat)
f
Bar
f
mp
mf
mp
f
Tpt
mf
Ten Sax
mp
Alt Sax
mp
Bas Cla
mp
mp
f
Ob
mf
(2)
(2)
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
12
Fl
82
Ob
Cla
Bas Cla
CB Cla
Bar Sax
Tpt
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
Hn
Ten Sax
Alt Sax
Bsn
f
f
f
point bell to side, then make sweeping motion over two bars to give 'doppler effect."
point bell to side, then make sweeping motion over two bars to give 'doppler effect."
f
bell
sus cym w/sticks
(6)
sim.
Perc
BD
TSPCE-33
(4)
(4)
(4)
(6)
sim.
sim.
(4)
mp (2)
(solo)
mp
f
HH f
china cym
p
(6)
sim.
(2)
mp
sim.
toms
HH. Toms
point bell at floor, then make arc motion over two bars to give 'doppler effect."
point bell at floor, then make arc motion over two bars to give 'doppler effect."
f
point bell at floor, then make arc motion over two bars to give 'doppler effect."
K
Chim.
SD
(4)
X
Timp
f
K
mp
mf
90
Fl
Ob
Cla
Bas Cla
Bsn
Alt Sax
sim.
Hn
sim.
13
Ten Sax
Tpt
CB Cla
Bar Sax
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella L
sim.
sim.
sim.
Tbn
Bar
Tba
G
sim.
sim.
sim.
f
X
Chim.
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
Perc
f
f
f
f
(2)
(4)
ff
ff
chimes
6
ff
ff
(2)
ff
ff
toms
(2)
ff
(2)
L
R.S.
sim.
(4)
f
(2)
f
BD
sim.
ff
6 6
splash
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
14
Fl 96
Ob
Cla
Bas Cla
Alt Sax
Ten Sax
Bar Sax
Tpt
f
mp
f
mp
Bar
Tba
X
Chim.
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
TSPCE-33
mp
mp
mp
mp
G
Tbn
mp
Hn
f
f
Bsn
f
CB Cla
mp
mp
6
6
6
mp
splash
mp
mp
mp
mp
china
mp
china w/stick (muffle on staccato)
mp
Cla
Bsn
ff
Bar
Tba
G
X
Chim.
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
ff
ff
ff ff
ff
ff
fff
6 fp
ff
chimes
fff
ff 6 ff
ff
fff
ff
xylo
6
fff
ff
ff
congas (w/wylo mallets)
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
glock
bongos (w/bell mallets) 6
vibra slap
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
15
ff
Hn
ff
ff
Tpt
Tbn
Ten Sax
Alt Sax
Bar Sax
Stormbreak (winds and percussion) - Casella
CB Cla
Bas Cla
Ob
gliss.
100
Fl
splash (short)
fff
china (short)
l.v.
TSPCE-33
On the next page, the score is repeated for percussion octet only without the optional wind parts to reduce the number of page turns.
Level: Med-Easy Approximate playing time: 3’30”
Stormbreak
Glockenspiel
Chimes
ocean drum
p
Percussion
Chim
Timp
SD
Bass Drum
Driving
med soft plastic mallets
fade out...
(2)
(4)
(6)
p
rainstick
upside down cymbal on timp head. Random glisses w/pedal.
p
LH cross stick
RH on rim
mp
shaker
mp
(2)
(4)
(8)
(10)
(2)
(4)
diamond noteheads = towel draped over batter head for short, muffled sound
w/staccato mallet
p
12
(4)
(2)
R.S.
fade out...
(2)
(2)
Perc
BD
HH. Toms
A
p
Hi Hat Concert Toms
X
Snare Drum
G
Xylophone
Timpani
Jim Casella
for percussion octet
Mysterious q = 120
HH w/sticks
mp
(4)
(6)
(8)
© 2009 Tapspace Publications LLC (ASCAP), Portland, Oregon. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
2
19
B
G
mp
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
X
mf
vibra slap
Chim
mf
Timp
med. mallets
mp
lower notes = tip of stick upper notes = shoulder
Perc
BD
mp
(4)
(2)
mp
HH. Toms
R.S.
SD
(6)
25
C
G
f
X
fp
chokes
f
Timp
SD
mute
sus cym
Chim
f
l.v.
f
fp
fp
f
ff ff
ff
ff
4 toms w/sticks
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
TSPCE-33
p
f
splash cym
f
unmuffled
f
china cym
ff
ff
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
31
G
Timp
SD
chimes
mp
mf
l.v.
Hihat gradually open
p
mp
(2)
(2)
(muffled)
mp
Timp
SD
f
(4)
Chim
(2)
f
3
mp
X
tambourine w/fingers (position on knee for short sound)
36
G
mp
BD
Perc
mp
HH. Toms
mp
dim.
Chim
f
X
D
(6)
f
f
f
4 toms w/sticks
HH. Toms
f
(4)
(6)
Perc
(4)
(6)
BD
f
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
4
42
G
E
mf
X
mf
Chim
mp
Timp
mp
(2)
mp
mp
(4)
(6)
HH
HH. Toms
R.S.
sim. as before
SD
triangle
Perc
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
mp
BD
mp
G
48
SD
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
(2)
(2)
f
sus cym (crash)
fff
f
(2)
(2)
on bowl w/back of mallet
(2)
mf
fff
fff
TSPCE-33
f
congas w/rattan shaft
f
fff
Chim
F bongos w/rattan shaft
fff
X
Timp
(2)
tambourine (as before)
fff
mp
(2)
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
54
G
X
(4)
(6)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(4)
(6)
mounted finger cym w/triangle beater
Chim.
Timp
p
SD
5
G (Toms Solo)
(Snare Solo)
3 3 6
f
4 toms w/sticks
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
mp
p
f
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
H (Timpani Solo)
59
(2)
X
Chim.
G
Timp
SD
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(2)
pedal E to F and back
ff
brake drum (dry, w/stick)
pp
3 3 3 6 rims
HH. Toms
(2)
(4)
(2)
Perc
(2)
(4)
(2)
BD
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
6
I
65
G
3
ff
X
Timp
woodblock w/cord
ff
3
Perc
BD
(2)
3
3
snare drum
cowbell
f
3
3
ff
ff
(2)
f
3 3 snare drum
ff
ff
HH. Toms
f
brake drum
SD
(2)
f
ff
Chim.
3
ff
ff
72
G
(4)
(6)
(8)
ff
(4)
(4)
X
(6)
(6)
(2)
(8)
(8)
(4)
(6)
ff
Chim.
Timp
(2)
TSPCE-33
(2)
ff
ff BD
brake drum
ff
china cym
snare drum
tom
ff
ff
splash
Perc
ff
HH
HH. Toms
ff
rim shots
SD
ff
ff
(2)
(4)
79
G
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
J
glock
fff
Timp
SD
mf
(6)
(2)
(4)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(2)
(4)
mf
mf
mp
K
(2)
mp
(6)
f
f
f
p
mp
(2)
f
R.S.
f
toms HH china cym
(2)
(solo)
(2)
f
BD
mp
Perc
(4)
mp
HH. Toms
bell
mf
86
SD
triangle
fff
(4)
Timp
sus cym w/sticks
mf
Chim.
X
(2)
BD
fff
fff
G
chimes
HH
Perc
fff
HH. Toms
f
Chim.
f
fff
xylo
X
7
mf
f
f
f
(2)
(2)
(2)
TSPCE-33
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella
8
92
G
X
Chim.
Timp
(4)
(4)
L
ff
chimes
ff
ff
SD
ff
6
ff
6
ff
Perc
BD
ff
6
toms
HH. Toms
splash
china
ff
97
G
mp
X
Chim.
Timp
SD
HH. Toms
Perc
BD
mp
mp
6
mp
6
6
splash
TSPCE-33
mp
mp
mp
china w/stick (muffle on staccato)
mp
Stormbreak (percussion only) - Casella 100
G
6
bongos (w/bell mallets)
Timp
SD
Perc
BD
ff
fff
chimes
fff
ff
6 fp
fff
ff
xylo
6
ff
HH. Toms
vibra slap
ff
fff
congas (w/wylo mallets)
ff
Chim.
ff
X
gliss.
9
glock
6 fff
ff
ff
ff
ff
splash (short)
china (short)
l.v.
TSPCE-33
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