Nitsch-Parallel Dimensions (SP)-V/X/P

Parallel Dimensions (2011) by Jason K. Nitsch was commissioned by Lamar Burkhalter and the SIS2 combined percussion ensemble from Schindewolf and Strack Intermediate Schools in Klein ISD (TX) in honor of their December 2011 performance at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. The world premiere of the piece spotlighted Hope Burkhalter and Ryan Branum as the featured soloists.

Parallel Dimensions is a double concerto for percussion septet. The piece opens with a colorful blend of percussive textures which immediately captures your attention. The two featured percussionists on Vibraphone and Xylophone quickly take over and trade off several "feature" sections, sometimes in unison figures and occasionally playing off of one another. After a brief transition, a complete color change is introduced with the soloists on Timbales and Congas and more of a "groove" is introduced. Once again the two featured players square off against one another with a few intersections of material as their own musical lines wander into each other from time to time. After several short bursts from each player there is a return to the "A" material on Vibraphone and Xylophone. The piece ends with a flurry of excitement and a burst of speed!

Number of players - 7
Difficulty - Medium

Instrumentation -
Percussion 1 (very high concert tom, xylophone, timbales, cowbell)
Percussion 2 (high concert tom, vibraphone, 2 congas, China cymbal, cowbell)
Percussion 3 (medium high concert tom, cabasa, flexatone, suspended cymbal, splash cymbal, cowbell)
Percussion 4 (medium concert tom, egg shaker, vibraslap, ratchet, wind chimes, cowbell)
Percussion 5 (medium low concert tom, trangle, cricket effect, bulb horn, tambourine, hi-hat, siren whistle, cowbell)
Percussion 6 (low concert tom, bongos, slapstick, castanets, cowbell)
Percussion 7 (muffled bass drum, cowbell)