Surface and Texture

Surface and Texture is a fun and entertaining percussion ensemble piece that explores new and exciting sounds using found objects alongside traditional percussion instruments, structured into five sections—Wood, Glass, Metal, Smooth, and Air—each led by a showcase instrument that highlights rudimental vocabulary ideal for marching percussionists. The Wood section features wooden tenors, marimbas, woodblocks, and more to create visceral, jungle-like sounds; the Glass section uses construction-grade glass blocks, bowed vibraphones, and glass bottles, producing an eerie, shimmering soundscape; the Metal section showcases blazing brake drum splits and a heavy metal vibe with pipes, drum set solos, and synthesizer riffs; the Smooth section shifts to a humorous swing jazz style with snare drummers using brushes on mounted drums and keyboards, encouraging performers to loosen up; and finally, the Air section creates an ethereal atmosphere with PVC pipes, patio chimes, monk choir samples, and breath sounds, culminating in a haunting finish with a didgeridoo. Perfect for high school ensembles seeking a creative, genre-spanning challenge, Surface and Texture also provides an excellent training opportunity for marching percussionists during the off-season and a competitive edge for winter circuits.

Musical Selections:

• Original Music by John Max McFarland

Show Duration: 5:16

Tempo Range: 86, 100, 120, 144, 180

Difficulty: 4

Instrumentation

• Glockenspiel (also includes shakers, mounted suspended cymbal and mounted woodblock) 
• Vibes 1 (also includes mounted suspended cymbal and mounted “jam block”) 
• Vibes 2 (also includes mounted suspended cymbal and mounted “jam block”)
• Vibes 3 (also includes mounted suspended cymbal and mounted “jam block”)
• Xylophone (also includes shekere, glass bottle tuned to D, small metal pipes struck together, Glass bottle tuned to D, and PVC pipe tuned to F4)
• Marimba 1 (Also includes mounted suspended cymbal, mounted woodblock, metal pipes struck together, glass bottle tuned to G, and PVC pipe tuned to E4) 
• Marimba 2 (Also includes mounted suspended cymbal, mounted woodblock, metal pipes struck together, Glass bottle tuned to E-flat, and PVC pipe tuned to C4)
• Marimba 3 (Also includes mounted suspended cymbal, mounted woodblock, metal pipes struck together, Glass bottle tuned to B-flat, and PVC pipe tuned to A3)
• Synthesizer 
• Sampler
• 4 Timpani
• Drumset (Kick, Snare, 3 toms, hi-hat, ride cymbal, large crash cymbal, small crash cymbal, splash cymbal, and china cymbal)
• Percussion 1: Concert Bass Drum, Chains on a Wood Board, Bongos, Glass Plate, Snare drum (mounted on Marimba), Patio Chimes, egg shakers
• Percussion 2: Large Wooden box (struck with hammer), 2 tom-toms, metal pipe (struck with Glock mallets), snare drum (mounted on marimba), Patio chimes, egg shakers
• Percussion 3: (2 players): Congas, Claves, shekere, Concert Bass Drum, Triangle, cowbell, Snare Drum (Mounted on Marimba), Patio Chimes, Egg Shakers
• Percussion 4: (2 players): Rawhide Maracas, Shaker, Guiro, cabasa, tam-tam, brake drum, concert bass drum, triangle, sizzle cymbal, woodblocks, patio chimes
• Glass Block Ensemble
• Wooden Tenor Drum Ensemble
• Brake Drum Ensemble