Off the Edge
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This work has been identified for inclusion in the Small Band Repertoire Initiative. You may find discussion of the work's challenges and merits under the Discussion tab above. You may also contribute your own thoughts and recommendations by joining the WRP.
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Subtitle: For Concert Wind Band and Pre-recorded track
General Info
Year: 2019
Duration: c. 3:20
Difficulty: II+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Activist Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - Unknown
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Crash Cymbal
- Glockenspiel
- Kick Drum
- Splash Cymbal
- Suspended Cymbal
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Laptop computer for audio accompaniment track
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
What happens when a composer who loves the pop music of the '80s and '90s hangs out in dance clubs blasting house music in the 2010s? Off the Edge offers a 140 bpm-thumping, EDM-jumping clue!
Off the Edge was commissioned by James Mobley and the Brownstown Middle School Band, with the participation of members of the N-BEAM consortium.
- Program Note from publisher
Performance Notes
The accompaniment track should be played back LOUDLY! It adds a complex set of syncopations to the piece, while the percussion players keep a steady beat (we hope).
The piece is at a snappy tempo (unrelenting quarter note = 140). Because the music is designed along the lines of a pop tune, it's very sectional and motive-driven. Included in the score is a page that maps out the themes and motives and will assist with getting the students comfortable with the rhythms and fingerings a few bars at a time, starting at a slower rehearsal tempo.
I encourage the band directors to make the MP3 of the piece available to all their students, so that they can listen and absorb the syncopated rhythms. In fact, a good way to start the first rehearsal is to blast the demo recording in the band room. I'll also make the accompaniment track (with the click track) available to them so that they can practice at home and annoy their parents. Invite them to email me for the access code.
Off the Edge is fun for players of any age, but for younger musicians it will be especially useful for introducing them to playing syncopated motives on the off beat.
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Eastern Oklahoma State College Inaugural High School Honor Band (Wilburton) (Brian T. Harris, conductor) - 10 February 2023
- Eastern Oklahoma State College Concert Band (Wilburton, OK) (Brian T. Harris, conductor) - 26 April 2022
- Center Grove Middle School (Greenwood, Ind.) Central Band (Samuel Fritz, conductor) – March 2020 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Count to Ten (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Kitchen Sync (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Kitchen Sync. See also: Suite Treats
- Passages (Adaptable Band) (2020)
All Wind Works
- Ascent (2020)
- Beneath. See: Immersion (2010)
- Bioplasm (flute choir) (2004/2012)
- Bioplasm (flute quartet) (2004)
- Breathe (2020)
- Count to Ten (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Depth. See: Immersion
- Even Deeper (2014)
- Free (2022)
- Homecoming (2008)
- Immersion (2010)
- Kitchen Sync (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Kitchen Sync. See also: Suite Treats
- Lights Out (2015)
- Liquid Compass (2014)
- Moment (2016)
- Off the Edge (2019)
- Paper Cut (2010)
- Passages (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Pop Music (2022)
- Rock Music (2016)
- Surface. See: Immersion (2010)
- Suspended (2021)
- Tight Squeeze (2012)
- Train of Thought (sextet) (2015)
- Trains of Thought (concert band) (2015/2017)
Resources
- Alex Shapiro website Accessed 5 July 2020
- Creative Repertoire Initiative
- Pease, Andy. "Off the Edge by Alex Shapiro." Wind Band Literature, 19 July 2022. Web, Accessed 20July 2022