Kitchen Sync

From Wind Repertory Project
Alex Shapiro

Alex Shapiro


Subtitle: For ultra-flex wind band, orchestra, or small ensemble, and optional prerecorded track.


General Info

Year: 2002 / 2021
Duration: c. 1:10 or longer
Difficulty: III+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Activist Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print or digital) - $50.00


Instrumentation (Adaptable Band)

Full score
There is only one required instrument: a food blender

Optional additional instruments:

  • Clicked Menu (items that can be struck)
  • Textured Menu (items that rip, snap, crinkle or shake)
  • Scraped Menu (items that can be scraped with fingernails or utensils)
  • Lunch Box Menu (bowls struck with fingers, fingernails, hands, wooden spoon, metal spoon)
  • High Register Cooks
  • Lower Register Cooks
  • Audio track

Extensive examples of possible "instrumentation" are found in the score.


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I’m not an inspired cook, but I do enjoy the meditative groove of cleaning up after a meal — and listening to the pitches and rhythms barked from bowls, dishes, and cookware that form a chorus of multi-registered clanking in the sink. To me, everything in life has the potential to be a musical instrument! For instance, it was this very household task that resulted in my use of resonant metal mixing bowls filled with a little water, to create an otherworldly live sound effect in my 2014 electroacoustic tone poem for wind ensemble Liquid Compass.

The short, percussive blast that is Kitchen Sync lands squarely on the other end of the musical spectrum. When I described to my husband Dan how the musicians will rely solely on lots of related utensils and tools as their instruments, he enthusiastically replied, “You should have them play a kitchen sink, too!”. I loved the idea, but explained that it might be logistically difficult for ensembles to lug a big appliance to the band room or the stage.

Scrolling through Facebook a day later, I stumbled upon a post from my friend Jennifer Jolley, one of the five co-conspirators of Suite Treats, for which Kitchen Sync was composed. Seeking title suggestions for her contribution, she mentioned something about her piece sporting a prerecorded accompaniment track. My brain lit up.

I had designed my little rhythmic offering to work purely acoustically, but suddenly the prospect of an additional version became too tempting to ignore: now I could include everything AND the kitchen sink! Mine and Dan's, in this case, as can be heard in the accompaniment track.

- Program Note by composer


For Lisa Oman, with compliments to the commissioning chefs at Composers & Schools, and appreciation for line cook Tony Spano Jr. and his musical sous chefs of the Culver City High School Concert Band.

- Program Note from score


Performance Notes

Extensive performance notes are found in the score.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources