Live Performance History
February 21st 2020 - The Score - MSU Concert Orchestra - East Lansing, MI - Michigan State University - 7:30
The Score
Year: 2019 | Duration: 3’ | Medium: Orchestra | Difficulty: Medium
Scoring
Flute 1,2
Oboe 1,2
Clarinet in Bb 1,2
Bassoon 1,2
Horn in F 1,2,3,4
Trumpet in Bb 1,2
Trombone 1,2
Bass Trombone,
Tuba
Timpani,
Percussion 1 (Crash Cymbal, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal)
Vibraphone
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass
Composer Description
The Score was created to give the audience full agency in exploring their creativity in the concert hall. Audience members are given permission to make any and all noise in response to the orchestra who music acts almost like an aural score for the performer. I have written other pieces where performers are asked to respond creatively to an audio or video recorded through improvisation. This piece does the exact same thing, but lets the audience improvise with anything they brought with them including body percussion, voices, programs, keys, mints, etc. The culmination moment is the 20-40 second audience cadenza in the middle of the piece.
The goal of the piece is to show the audience that they have creativity even if they do not think they do. They CANNOT be wrong, and WILL NOT ever make me unhappy. Participation is ALWAYS encouraged but NEVER required.
Concerto for Audience Description
A concerto is a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra. Concerto for Audience is a participatory piece inviting an audience and orchestra to make music together in performance. Western classical music is typically not participatory. This piece expands the classical music experience by giving the audience a role in making music. Each 4-minute movement focuses on a different way in which the audience can make music including using our voices, playing rhythms, and expressing ourselves through improvisation. __(insert concert guide’s name)__ will teach the audience their musical parts before each movement is performed. During the performance, there will be a conductor for the audience on stage to guide you through the performance.
Concerto for Audience intends to connect audiences and musicians through a creative cultural experience. It strives to transform the concert experience making classical music engaging and approachable for everyone. Happy music-making!
This piece began as a student collaboration at Michigan State University between teaching artist James Brinkmann, composers Spencer Arias, Evan Snyder, and Elena Specht, conductors Evan Harger and Joe Hodge, and the MSU Concert Orchestra. Concerto for Audience will continue to grow as any orchestra performing it is encouraged to commission a local composer to write a new movement that includes participatory activities. This new movement will be added to the collection of Concerto for Audience. It becomes a consortium of movements by a variety of composers that can be mixed and matched to become a “choose your own adventure” for every performance.
Contact Just a Theory Press to Request the Score
Commissioners
James Brinkmann