Fidget

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Xylophone, Bells, Chimes)
Percussion 2 (Vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (4-octave Marimba)*
Percussion 4 (4.3-octave Marimba)*
Percussion 5 (4 Timpani, Wind Chimes)
Percussion 6 (Snare Drum, 4 Concert Toms, Triangle)
Percussion 7 (Kick Bass laid flat, Tam-Tam)
Percussion 8 (Splash, Suspended, & China Cymbals, Hi-Hat, Woodblock, Shaker)

*Players 3 & 4 may perform on one 4.3-octave Marimba if two marimbas are unavailable.

Program Notes
Featuring a balanced ensemble of 4 keyboard and 4 battery percussionists, Fidget borrows a rhythm from the agogo bell/cowbell part in my popular percussion quintet Shock Factor. While the rhythm is only fleeting in the original work, it has stuck with me since I wrote the piece 10 years ago. Set in 4/4 time, it has a twitchy/fidgety/stuttering feel to me that starts and restarts, stumbling over itself in its brief two-bar duration.

Portions of this motive appears throughout the piece – sometimes as the focal point and sometimes as an accompanimental figure. Regardless, the piece features driving rhythms and memorable melodies from beginning to end.

– ND

Consortium
Fidget was commissioned by a consortium of high schools organized by Wayne Lu of South Hardin High School in Eldora, Iowa.

Kim Burdett (Teays Valley High School)
Myron Mikita (Don Bosco High School)
Luke Snyder (Eagle Grove High School)
Kelly Albrecht Weber (St. Edmond High School)
David Wolf (McLean High School and James Madison High School)