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The Beat Factory

Phillip Ginn - Pit Percussion, Design
Noah Clark - Battery Percussion, Concept, Design

Written in 2008


Price: $600.00
Availability: Open to all

Difficulty Level: 3

Listen to The Beat Factory *

* Audio renditions use sounds from Sibelius Sound Essentials and therefore may not fully represent the intention of the music or the intended final outcome.



Conceived by Noah (with special thanks to friend Dave Weiss) and designed by Noah and Phillip, The Beat Factory is both a visual and a musical treat. The music starts with the battery going through a gigantic machine, designed to turn them into monster drummers... until the machine breaks! Repairmen must fix the machine before the evaluator shows up to inspect the factory. Of course, once fixed, the machine only produces great results!

Designed to be challenging and fun for the up-and-coming intermediate drumline!

Originally designed for the West Campus High School drumline of 2008/09 of Sacramento, CA under the direction of John Ousley


Duration: 4:19, plus time for added theatrics

Difficulty Level 3 for: Integration of basic rudiments and patterns at faster tempos. More complex layering of parts. More complicated syncopation and split parts. Requirement of more advanced finesse to achieve greater musicality. Higher demand on correct timing to execute full ensemble piece.


Instrumentation:

  • Glockenspiel
  • Xylophone
  • Vibraphone 1 & 2
  • Marimba 1 & 2, designed for play on a single marimba for small ensembles
  • Auxiliary Percussion
  • Snares
  • Tenors
  • Basses (4)



PRODUCTION SUGGESTIONS

ENDING 1: What evaluator doesn't want to be a great drummer him/herself? Too bad the machine rejects such wannabes; when the evaluator decides to put him/herself through the machine, the machine breaks down again!

ENDING 2: Of course, the evaluator is going to give the factory a 100% passing grade. But the foreman's got make sure everyone clocks out on time, because he doesn't want to pay anyone over time. The drummers had better march themselves out the door!


Prop suggestions: a makeshift coveyor belt, man-operated by a few extras; a giant backdrop with a painted/printed picture of the inside of a factory; curtains or doors allowing entry/exit to the conveyor belt; jump suits and hats for factory workers.