Originally composed for the Chandler Preparatory Academy Middle
School PercussionEnsemble, Chipboard can be played with as few as four
players or parts may be doubled,
tripled, etc. for larger percussion ensembles. Standard wooden
percussion instruments (i.e.wood
blocks, temple blocks, log drums) are ideal for this piece, but
the ensemble may insteadchoose to
use found or created wooden instruments if desired. Care should
be taken to selectsticks or mallets
that willcreate a full and warm
sound from each instruments so the piece is notpresented with a harsh or piercing sound quality. The
quartet opens with a layered effect ofoffset two-note rhythmic groupings in the three higher
wood instruments. As the lowest voice
enters, the first time signature change appears and the
ensemble presents its first unison
statement. The high wood continues with an ostinato over which
the other three voicesdialogue
before a return to the opening material, again in three. After
a four-bar statement bythe low wood,
each additional part gradually joins in the repetition of this
phrase, followed by anextended
unison statement by the ensemble. Again, the original rhythmic
idea returns, this timeembellished
with sixteenth notes, before the final coda which alternates
between unisonstatements, layered
rhythmic ideas, and a closing full ensemble crescendo.
click on the
cover page to view an excerpt of the piece