Here We Are-SAMPLE

BRIAN MUELLER

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TSPCE25-026

PROGRAM & PERFORMANCE NOTES

Here We Are was composed for the 2021 Middle Tennessee State University Front Ensemble. While it was originally conceived as a fun “lot tune,” it could also function as a pop percussion ensemble piece. It is scored for four mallet instruments and rhythm section. Parts can be doubled, tripled, et cetera to accommodate the size of your ensemble. The xylophone and glockenspiel parts are written so that they can be played by one person but could be played by two people if desired. The marimba and vibraphone parts require four mallets, and the xylo/glock part requires two mallets.

The keyboard part is intended to be played on an electric piano sound such as a Fender Rhodes but feel free to experiment with the keyboard sound. The guitar sound should include a moderate amount of overdrive to give the piece a gritty rock feel. An improvisational conga part is included, as well as a simple auxiliary percussion part. You may augment this with any instruments you feel appropriate. The conga sounds are notated as: O = Open, S = Slap, M = Mute, H = Heel, T = Toe.

There is an optional guitar solo during the recap of measures 1-16. A sample solo is notated in the part, which can be played note for note or simply used as an example. The first ending at m. 24 and the repeat at the end of m. 32 should be taken on the D.C. before going to the Coda.

The piece should have an intense and energetic groove throughout. The title is a reference to how it felt when, in 2021, we were able to return to a more “normal” performance season after grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic for so long.

—Brian Mueller