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Down The Line

Down the Line was commissioned by the Decatur Central High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble for their 2018 competitive season.  The ensemble went on to win first place (out of 23 ensembles) at the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Championships.  After their first place finish in IPA Championships they went on to win a gold medal in Percussion Concert A class at Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.  

Program Notes:

Utilizing Pachelbel's famous "Canon in D" as source material along with original material from composer, John Max McFarland, the piece explores all the possibilities of the "down the line" concept.  Starting with the classic chord progression from Pachelbel's canon, the marimbas each take a portion of the melody and pass it "down the line".  Throughout the entire piece multiple sections take the material and either trade off, add-in, or taper off to musically create the down the line effect.  In the second section, the music coordinates in a way where members of the ensemble create a visual conveyor belt type effect by going from one instrument to the next.  To start the third section two members of the ensemble team up with the drum set player and take turns trading licks on the drum set player's drums!  The piece ends with a rock 'n roll variation of Pachelbel's Canon and includes an extended drum set break where performers are encouraged to toss drum sticks and other implements to each other for one last effect!  Requiring confident solo playing as well as masterful ensemble playing, the piece is perfect for those in competitive winter percussion ensembles as well as those trying to add a fun percussion ensemble piece to their concert or recital.  

Total Performance Time: 4:31

Tempo Range (in BPM): 108, 112, 144, 160, 180