Laboratory
Premiered May 15, 2024
South Lyon HS, South Lyon, MI
Performed by South Lyon HS Wind Ensemble
Honored by the Young Composers of MI as a concert selection to be performed at the YCM Premier Concert 2025 at the MSBOA Michigan Music Conference in January 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI.
Letter from the composer to the band introducing this piece (Feb 2024):
Hi Mr. O and Wind Ensemble,
I am so excited to work on this project with you. Last Fall, Mr O asked me to compose an electro-acoustic piece for the band. And so, I created Laboratory.
In writing this piece, I have worked to expand my genre abilities in composition. This is great as I want to attend a music school.
My inspiration for this piece is the memory of how I used to want to become a scientist when I grew up. In Laboratory, you will hear a chemistry lab, a computer lab, and an ecology lab in the background throughout the piece. I thought it would be fitting to tie in my past interest in science with this experiment we’re doing. I have never written an electro-acoustic piece before; you’ve likely never played one. Electro-acoustic allows for the involvement of electronic sounds as well as manipulation of recorded acoustic sounds. It also lets us use harmonic elements in interesting ways.
This piece requires 3 things. The first is live performance. The second is pre-recorded instrument parts by you. Once I have those recordings, I can add effect plugins such as reverb, delay, and automation clips to help manipulate those sounds. The third is the electronic soundtrack, which will include sounds that the band cannot make. Instead, they will come from the computer. Together, we will perform Laboratory.
In the first section, the chemistry lab, I have highlighted the brass section, specifically the 4 seniors. However, some support may be necessary.
In the second section, the computer lab, I have highlighted the woodwind section. You will hear computer keys clicking throughout as well as a jazzy flavor.
In the third section, the ecology lab, I have highlighted the percussion section. You will hear thunder, rain, and birds chirping. We will have to get creative to see who and what can play these various sounds in this section.
In the final section, I put every type of science together for a grand experiment. The final result is an interesting blending of sounds and effects.
This will be a very cool collaboration. I hope you enjoy the piece.