ANDREA VENET
Kibo by Andrea Venet © 2025 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved. tapspace.com
PROGRAM NOTES
Kibo is inspired by the beloved ‘80s tune “Africa” by Toto. Kibo is actually the highest point and one of three volcanic cones on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. While it was not my intention to write a cover of “Africa,” the piece has rhythmic cells and harmonic motives inspired by the original song.
The first version of this piece (for snare drum with percussion quartet) was written in 2005 while I was studying rudimental drumming with Bob Becker (Nexus). At the time he was developing his book Rudimental Arithmetic (2008), which explores conceptual relationships between arithmetic, rudiments, and rhythms while explaining application to things such as sticking permutations, meter and grouping, and polyrhythms.
I later added to that early draft based on inspirations from other rudimental snare drum styles, particularly the Pratt solos and the French-American hybrid rudimental style championed by American composer Joseph Tompkins. Ultimately, Kibo is a synthesis of many influences throughout the years and was my way to “song-write” on snare drum.
After being asked several times if there was a version of Kibo with concert band accompaniment (instead of the original percussion quartet accompaniment), I arranged this version to be performed with a wind ensemble. Because the snare drum solo part is identical, it can be played with either a percussion ensemble or a concert band.
–Andrea Venet
PERFORMANCE NOTES
There are two downloadable snare drum parts included — one for printing on legal-sized paper (8.5" x 14") and one for printing on letter-sized paper (8.5" x 11"). The legal version avoids page turns, but for those without that option, the 8.5” x 11” version is also available.
The snare drum should be slightly muffled/muted on the top head to limit ringing, especially with the snares off.
Snare drum rolls and drags should be performed open (double strokes).
If two octaves of crotales are not available, glockenspiel may be substituted.
Please note that the marimba and vibraphone parts in this version are not the same as the percussion ensemble version but are transposed down a half step.
