Mycelialore

For Orchestra

2024

Co-Commissioned by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the League of American Orchestras for the Toulmin Orchestral Commissions

Performance Resources

Percussion:

Percussion 1:

Handpan (D-Kurd 9), Vibraphone, Drum Set (Crash Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Medium Tom, Snare Drum, Floor Tom, Low Kick Drum), Owl Locator Call, Wind Gong, Alpine Bells (C4, D4, Eb4, F#4), Tuned G3 Gong

Percussion 2:

Rainstick, Mark Tree, Marimba, Kazoo, Tambourine, Sus. Cymbal, Triangle, Crow Locator Call, Waterphone

Handpan:

The type of handpan is a D-Kurd 9, a D-minor tuned handpan with 9 pitches: D3 (the “ding”), A3, Bb3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4.

There’s no problem of course with renting a D-Kurd 10; there will just be one extra pitch that won’t get played (C5).

It should be amplified as noted in the tech sheet.

If performers would like to see the handpan sections ahead of receiving the part, the Percussion I part may be found here.

Many thanks to Trevor Barroero, Principal Percussionist at the Tucson Symphony, for bringing this part to life so beautifully at the premiere. See the below clips of him playing:

An extra handpan resource for beginners is below. It’s a bit basic from a music theory standpoint, but you can see a clear top-down view of the D-Kurd 9 model being played:

Owl and crow calls:

These are not typical bird whistles but rather small, loud barrel-shaped devices used by turkey hunters. Recommended models: “Ol’ Razzy with Hoot Booster” (owl, purchase here) and “The Detector” (crow, purchase here) by Bone Collector. The Tucson Symphony now owns both of these. Create stopped and open sounds by cupping or opening your hand around the end. See video below (owl call at 0:37 and crow call at 1:05).

Waterphone

I don’t specify any particular brand or size of waterphone. It’s used in the piece as a 30-second improvised solo where the only other sound present are spoken voices on the tape. I would recommend something very resonant with long sustain. Although we didn’t amplify it in the premiere performance, I believe amplification would be best. An example of a waterphone is found below.

Synthesizer, Electronics, & Tech

Updated info will be posted here as soon as possible. For any questions in the meantime, please email me at chelsea@komschlies.com.

Some info for the time being: electronics are fixed media sound files. The sound of the synth keyboard as well as the sound files are all handled by an Ableton patch. The electronics are triggered by the synth keyboardist themselves, using the highest key of the keyboard. The keyboard part includes numbered synth cues.