Skeleton Key Collection
Skeleton Key Collection
Item no.: TSPB-52
by Brian Nozny
4+ players
Instrumentation:
The pieces in this collection are designed to be played with a very flexible and atypical array of instrumentation so that virtually any ensemble can perform them. Directors are encouraged to be creative with instruments, but here are a few suggestions for each piece:
Bakken Overture
- Tambourine (Auxiliary)
- Snare drum (High Drum)
- 2 congas (Medium Drums) + suspended cymbal
-
Horizontal kick drum (Low Drum)
Skeleton Key
- Brake drum (High Metal)
- Metal trash can (Low Metal)
- High tom (High Drum)
-
Surdo (Low Drum)
The Floor is Lava
- Bell plate (Resonant Metal)
- Tambourine (Drum-like)
- Shekere (Shaker-esque)
-
Woodblock (Wooden)
Vince
- Splash cymbal (High Cymbal)
- Medium crash cymbal (Medium Cymbal)
- Ride cymbal (Low Cymbal)
- Tam-tam (Tam-tam)
Brian Nozny wrote the four pieces of Skeleton Key Collection to address a need in the percussion ensemble repertoire: works that could be handled by a group of players with varying experience levels in a diverse number of situations. Each piece is written with four parts, with an open-ended, flexible instrumentation list featuring broad terms like high metal, low drum, wood instrument, etc.
Not only are the works rich in texture and energy as-is, but the director or ensemble is encouraged to customize the music to fit their unique situation! Some examples of customization include: adjusting repeat structures to lengthen or shorten the piece; expanding or reducing the number of players in various sections to reflect the form of the work; changing instruments within the same family mid-piece; offering improvisation opportunities; and so on. Like a "key" that fits any lock, this book is full of educational and expressive opportunities, perfect for intermediate-level ensembles or their directors!
This product contains the following works:
- Bakken Overture | Med-Easy | 2'00"
- Skeleton Key | Med-Easy | 2'50"
- The Floor Is Lava | Medium | 2'20"
- Vince | Medium | 2'55"
Skeleton Key Collection ships as a fully-bound book with a sleek cover design, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.