Hill Country preview at John Mackey’s Blog

March 17, 2008

Hill Country preview

Thank in no small part to a blurb on The Texas Band Director Yellow Board, today has seen a record number of hits to the blog. (Nearly 1,000 unique visitors? In one day? Really? How the… ?) If every one of those visitors bought the piece, I could afford to move to Austin and buy this house. (Warning: if you click that link, you’ll be subjected to not just the virtual tour of the house, but of a synth recording of the Pachelbel Canon in D. ‘Cause what says classy like the Pachelbel Canon?)

A whole mess of people have clicked the preview file that shows “the tune” of the Grade 3 piece I just finished. Rather than have people think that silly piano sketch never got any more interesting, here’s a PDF of the orchestrated version of the tune.

In case you need a percussion key, the percussion scoring is:
Player 1: Timpani, tuned to F, C, Eb, Gb
Player 2: Xylophone and vibraphone
Player 3: Marimba and four tom-toms
Player 4: 3 cymbals (large suspended cymbal, China, and splash cymbal)
Player 5: Tambourine and crotales
Player 6: Tam-tam (struck only with metal triangle beaters, and muted) and 2 maracas
Player 7: Bass drum

If a band doesn’t have enough players, things could be re-shuffled to omit the tam-tam part, and another player would have to cover the maraca part that happens mid-way through the piece. (That maraca part is easy enough that a wind player could cover it, and many of the wind players don’t play in that maraca section anyway. Can you do that? Say, Clarinet 3 doubling on maracas?) Originally, there wasn’t going to be a timpani part, but Chuck Fischer, one of the directors at Hill Country Middle School, specifically requested that I add one. I’m glad I did, as it’s pretty crucial once the piece gets to the big percussion section break.

The other optional instruments are the Eb contrabass clarinet and the double bass. I haven’t done it yet, but I’ll probably cue the oboe parts elsewhere throughout, just to be safe. Keep in mind, before you email me with “middle school kids can’t do this” complaints, that although it’s commissioned by a middle school band, this group has the ability of a high school group.

I’m done for today. I really just want to go take pictures of stuff, but my camera gear is all in the shop being calibrated. When I dropped off the gear — and I took the body and three of my lenses — the woman at Canon asked me what kind of shooting I did. “Are you a wedding photographer?” “Uh, no, I’m a composer. I take pictures of concerts and… food.” “This is some insane gear for a non-pro,” she said.

Again, your band booster dollars at work.


10 Comments to “Hill Country preview”  

    1
  1. At 8:01 pm on March 17, 2008
    clumpton Says:

    Move to Austin, I make great Mexican Martinis.

    -chuck fischer

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  2. At 6:59 pm on March 18, 2008
    Brooks Says:

    Hey! Im Brooks, and I play percussion in the Hill Country Middle School Symphonic Band, even as I type this I am listening to the awesome Midi mp3. This has to be the fifth time I have listened to it, I just wanted to say thank you very much for doing this for our school. It is such an amazing song. And GREAT percussion parts! It is so incredible. I just cant wait to preform this infront of a live audiance, I am so exited I just cant wait!
    again,Thank you so much.

    -Brooks

    3. 3
  3. At 7:10 pm on March 18, 2008
    alex Says:

    YA!!! I agree with brooks. I play the oboe and it sounds like it will be fun to play that middle section. Thank you so much for writing this peice for us. You are a great composer and I am glad you are writing a peice for us.

    4. 4
  4. At 9:22 pm on March 18, 2008
    Sharon Says:

    Hey, I’ve read your blog for some months now. (So funny about the yellow board thing….)I’m in Austin, UT grad and band director on “hiatus” while home with our little kids. I lamented being out of the loop on new music, university scene, etc and enjoy your blog for a taste of that. And I love the food photos.
    When does Hill Country premier your piece?
    (I’ve never had one of Chuck’s martinis……but I’m sure they’re good.)

    5. 5
  5. At 4:51 pm on March 19, 2008
    Adam Says:

    Hey I love the piece and I can’t wait to play it. I am also in the Symphonic Band, but I play the tuba. We all got together in band class today and went into the band office to listen to the piece. Everyone thought that it would be fun and a good challenge.

    (Mr. Fischer when were you planning on telling me about the Mexican Martinis :)

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  6. At 4:55 pm on March 19, 2008
    Adam Says:

    I looked at the house you put a link to and I know which one it is. On my boat I drive past it sometimes. That would be amazing if you got it. Do you really need 5 bedrooms? LOL

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  7. At 6:45 pm on March 19, 2008
    Mark S. Says:

    My friend was an all state maraca player.

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  8. At 8:07 pm on March 19, 2008
    Melissa Says:

    You totally need 5 bedrooms 1) us 2) Amelia 3) Sophie and Izzy (all visiting) and then 4) Loki and 5) you guys.

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  9. At 5:48 pm on March 26, 2008
    Bear Says:

    Hey! we got the peice this week and I looked it over. The clarinet part is awsome!!~Only wish I could play the contra base :( By the way, I ‘ve seen that house from the lake. It’s beautiful. And the fireworks display on the 4th is amazing. Trust me i’m a local! IF you do move in be sure to go out on the lake a lot!

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  10. At 3:28 pm on May 15, 2008
    Brooks Says:

    Thanks again for the piece, the preformance at UT was amazing to be in. It will be an experience i will carry with me for the rest of my life(please excuse the spelling and gramatical errors). I cant tell you how much i enjoyed being part of your commision, you are an amazing compozer.
    That song was such an impact on the adience, after the concert me and my friend herd a little girl (not much older than 4) singing the tune! Im sure this song will go very far!
    Thank you so much Mr. Mackey!

    -Brooks

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