Program Notes Begin Transmission is intended to be an exciting first adventure into the world of percussion ensemble music for groups with approximately one year of experience. It provides opportunities for students to apply skills and concepts which they have been developing by working out of method books in a percussion ensemble setting. The keyboard parts are in the comfortable key of Dminor and feature mostly stepwise motion. When accompanying the melody, the keyboard players apply varying dynamic levels to repeated notes while building their double-stop technique. The chimes and timpani provide some harmonic impact throughout the piece. The snare and tom parts let the young players work mainly on quarter and eighth note rhythms. There are some buzz rolls, simple sixteenth note patterns, and a few isolated flams thrown into the snare part as well. Most players get to experiment with different timbres by either playing on the rim of their drum or by switching instruments. This begins preparing them for more advanced literature and provides some diversity to the composition. Feel free to double, triple, or even omit certain parts to meet the needs of your ensemble. The following parts may be omitted if necessary (in this order): marimba 1, chimes, low toms, percussion 2, and vibraphone or marimba 2 (but not both).
Players and Instrumentation Begin Transmission requires 8-13 players with the following instrumentation: • Glockenspiel • Xylophone • Vibraphone • Marimba (shared 4.3-octave, low A) • Chimes • 4 timpani • Snare drum • 2 high toms
• 2 low toms • Concert bass drum • Triangle • Mark tree • Suspended cymbal • Ride cymbal • China cymbal • Tam-tam