24 for Percussion Ensemble | Modern concept music | Composition
My Google Drive turned into total chaos over the last few years, so sorting through the clutter felt like archaeology work. But amid the digital dust, I unearthed treasures I forgot existed—like 24 for Percussion Ensemble, the experimental piece I composed several years ago for my percussion ensemble.
The Drum- & Percussionband Paal needed a fresh addition to their playlist—something brand new they’d never tackled, yet quick to learn ahead of a major concert. 24 for Percussion Ensemble fit perfectly: an accessible experimental work where every instrument follows independent rhythms that mysteriously converge every 24 beats. Players enjoy total freedom to start, stop, and improvise within their cycles, creating organic chaos that snaps into hypnotic unity.
For Paal’s biggest show yet, we debuted 24 as the dramatic concert opener. Players entered stage one by one from darkness, layering their parts until the full ensemble pulsed alive—then seamlessly transitioned into our next powerhouse track. Watch the premiere performance video below (first run, so raw and unpolished—the ensemble had mere days to prepare). Despite rough edges, the piece’s potential shone through, and I’m excited to finally share the full score here. Download, rehearse, perform it—let me know how your ensemble brings 24 to life in the comments!
Breaking Down the Parts
Bass drum
Looks deceptively simple on paper, but this anchors everything—pulse every 24 beats to unify the chaos. Position the player center stage under a spotlight (solo entrance from darkness works magic). Precision timing makes it the toughest role.
Cowbell
One player delivers the 6-beat clave in steady forward motion, entering/exiting freely (strongest at piece’s start/end). Inspired by my Luca School of Arts jazz ensemble days—still my favorite clave pattern!
Bongos
Crucial counterpoint: 6-beat clave clashing gloriously against tambourine’s 2-beat pulse. Split two players per side for stereo drama. Simple in theory, but the initial rest before entry trips players up—practice that pickup!
Tambourine
Equally vital contrast to bongos’ 6-beat—lock into relentless 2-beat clave. Mirror bongos with two players per side, or sandwich between for intense polyrhythmic tension.
Bottles
Two players per side play the melodic intro motif from my percussion arrangement of Alegria (performed immediately after 24 live—can’t share score due to copyright).
Oil Drum
Any dual-tone instrument substitutes, but oil drums shine (add water + underlight for visual pop—unmissable entrance!).
Xylophone
Chaos agent! Simple notation hides the trick: 5-beat phrases (x4) + one 4-beat. Improvise freely around A-major/D-minor scales based on player skill.
Piano
Xylophone’s sibling: 7-beat phrases (x3) + three beats. Notation simplifies deeper improvisation—drop bassline octaves lower for thunderous effect.
Performance of 24 by Drum- & Percussionband Paal:
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