composition / percussion ensemble / shock factor
shock factor
Medium: Percussion Quintet
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: February 2004
Duration: 4:30
Difficulty: Grade IV
Instrumentation:
Percussion 1 (bongos, bells)
Percussion 2 (temple blocks, vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (agog bell or cowbell, chimes)
Percussion 4 (4 concert toms)
Percussion 5 (bass drum, tam-tam, suspended cymbal)
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Shock Factor for Percussion Quintet by Nathan Daughtrey
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notes
Primarily driven by battery percussion, Shock Factor features exciting vocal effects all derived from the word "shock." A brief section in the middle of the piece takes a departure from the battery instruments by bringing prominence to the metallic keyboard percussion (bells, vibraphone, & chimes). Driving from beginning to end, Shock Factor delivers.
review (excerpt)
"Using limited instrumentation, Daughtrey strives for dramatic results and visceral impact. To this end, he uses tension-building ostinatos, hammer-like blows (2 consecutive, accented, fortissimo sixteenth notes), and vocal contributions in which participants whisper, speak, and yell. As excitement escalates, players interject explosive, fortissimo bursts using a 32nd note figure. As this sonic melee continues, players top off each burst by shouting "SHA!" Keep this piece in mind if you want a dramatic, hard-driving piece that stays within the limitations of a high school ensemble."
- John R. Raush, Percussive Notes (February 2005)
testimonial
"I'm delighted to report that my students and my percussion instructor absolutely love "Shock Factor" and have been practicing it feverishly for our April concert. You have interested them with your art and challenged their chops with some of the technical aspects of the music (specifically the bongo, vibraphone, and temple block parts!). I'm sure this won't be the last Daughtrey work we put in front of our students!"
Joseph Roman, Director of Bands
General Douglas MacArthur High School, Levittown, NY