Down the Line

The listed price covers a competitive license for local and WGI competitions. For a more affordable concert or recital license, please contact us.  Contracts and other paperwork will be required to qualify for a non-competitive license.

Using Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and original material by John Max McFarland, Down the Line explores the concept of passing music through the ensemble. Melodies and rhythms move from player to player, creating a visual and musical "conveyor belt" effect, culminating in a rock 'n' roll variation with an extended drum set break and stick tosses. Perfect for competitive winter percussion or as a fun concert piece, it challenges performers with confident solo and ensemble playing.

Down the Line was commissioned by Decatur Central High School Indoor Percussion for their 2018 season, leading to first-place finishes at the IPA State Championships and a gold medal at WGI World Championships in Percussion Concert A class.  

Musical Selections:

• Original Music by John Max McFarland

Show Duration: 4:31

Tempo Range: 108, 112, 144, 160, 180

Difficulty: 4

Instrumentation

• Glock/Xylo (one player)
• 4 Vibraphones
• 5 Marimbas
• Synthesizer*
  
• Drumset/Sampler
• Percussion 1 - Concert Snare, Suspended Cymbal, Bongos, Finger Cymbals
• Percussion 2 - Concert Snare, Suspended Cymbal, Congas, Finger Cymbals
• Percussion 3 - Deep Shell Concert Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Djembe, Mark Tree, Triangle
• Percussion 4 - Concert Snare, Suspended Cymbal, Shaker, Slapstick, Vibraslap, Rainstick, Sizzle Cymbal
• Percussion 5 - Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal, Triangle, Shaker, 2 Brake Drums, Ocean Drum, Finger Cymbals
• Percussion 6 - Triangle, Concert Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, China Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, Large Cowbell