Connections

Connections explores the paradox of our hyper-connected digital age, where instant communication has replaced genuine human interaction. Through powerful musical storytelling, the show contrasts warm, personal connections with the isolating effects of technology. It opens with voiceovers and duet passages symbolizing the struggle to connect, then transitions to the beauty of human interaction, only to be disrupted by electronic elements and unconventional techniques. A percussion-driven third movement highlights technology’s darker impact, and the final segment reflects our wireless world with scattered antiphonal features and a text message-interrupted solo, ending on a haunting question: “Hello? Are you there?”

• • Original Music by John Max McFarland

Show Duration: 8:50

Tempo Range: 78, 160, 168 BPM

Difficulty Levels:

• Brass: 3
• Woodwind: 3
  
• Battery: 4
• Front Ensemble: 4

Instrumentation: 

• Winds:
  
  • Piccolo
  • Flute
    
  • Clarinet 1, 2
  • Alto Saxophone 1, 2
  • Tenor Saxophone
    
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Trumpet 1, 2
  • Mellophone
    
  • Low Brass 1, 2
  • Tuba
    
• Percussion:
  • Glockenspiel/Chimes/Sampler (1 Player)
  • Vibraphone 1, 2
  • Xylophone (Shared with Glock)
  • Marimba 2
  • Synthesizer/Sampler (Shared with Glock)
  • Percussion 1, 2
  • Snares
  • Tenors (5 Drums)
  • 4 Bass Drums (5 Bass Drum part available upon request)
    
  • Cymbals