Alex Shapiro: Paper Cut: Concert Band: Score & Parts

Composer Alex Shapiro's piece “Paper Cut” is reminiscent of a movie soundtrack to which the musicians can imagine their own dramatic scene. The piece asks the performers to “play” paper like a percussioninstrument – ripping tearing tapping and crumpling along with the electronic track even before they pick up their instruments to play along. A very creative and evocative work sure to stir the imagination of players andaudience alike. Free interdisciplinary curriculum for the piece is available for download at http://www.BandQuest.org.To perform the piece you'll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from alaptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is provided in the printed piece. (Grade 3)

For Concert Wind band and Pre-recorded-Alex Shapiro first brought electroacoustic music – paired with using an everyday object as an instrument – to middle school bands with her 2010 piece PAPER CUT. Now comes ROCK MUSIC possibly the very first geo-electroacoustic minimalist band piece largely devoid of melody and of rhythm. Conceptual and atmospheric the music features compelling textures from instruments voices and rocks that weave a wind band into a piece of sonic fabric stretched across linear time. As the notes slowlycrawl melt and scrape over a sonic landscape in random irregular ways were connected to the ancient glaciers which carved the world we know and which we strive to protect. Like PAPER CUT ROCK MUSIC can be equally appreciated by mature bandsand their audiences as well. To perform ROCK MUSIC youll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is providedin the printed piece. Dur: 4:15

Continuing in the tradition of her innovative electroacoustic band works including Paper Cut Immersion and Tight Squeeze Alex Shapiro's Liquid Compass takes the musicians and the audience on a journey that spans the mystical and the triumphant. A subliminal connection to the sea is conveyed through the creative use of metal bowls filled with water and flutists will particularly enjoy the otherworldly “ooh-wah” effect that wends through the piece. Commemorating¦the 140th anniversary of Carthage College's wind band this work¦migrates to different places but never loses its bearings in pursuit of a musical true north.To perform thepiece you'll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is provided in the printed piece. Dur: 9:00

From the acclaimed composer of Paper Cut AlexªShapiro this unique high-energy work could beªdescribed by the following: imagine Arnold Schoenberg ªHenry Mancini and Charlie Parker walking into aªdance club in Havana and staying for three minutes. Tight Squeeze ventures into new territory as it exploresªchromaticism and syncopation against a prerecordedªpercussion groove. The result is the repertoire's first electroacousticªtwelve-tonetechno Latin bebop band piece! Okay maybe Schoenbergªdid all that first but it never sounded quite like this!To perform the piece you'll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptopcomputer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is provided in the printed piece. Dur: 3:15

The renowned composer of Paper Cut and Tight Squeeze has created a love child from these two popular works. The result is Lights Out an audience-wowing excursion into a new realm of opto-electro-acoustic wind band repertoire that incorporates visual and physical elements into an exhilarating piece. The music itself is stunning but for the full effect you'll want to devise a performance that plunges the audience into darkness and suddenly surrounds them with glowing colors of LEDs and glowsticks. A very physical approach to connecting band music to life - and to light! Dur: 4:30 To perform the piece you'll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from