Crossing

for percussion duo

Benjamin Holmes

Level: Advanced

Duration: 5:00

Personnel: 2 players

State Lists: Florida

Release Date: 2022

Product ID : TSPCD22-003

Price: $35.00

Item #: TSPCD22-003

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Description

In Crossing, Benjamin Holmes paints a picture of American railroad crossings. With an entirely unpitched instrumentation, the shared Zil-Bel and brake drum at the center of the setup maintain a steady beat, representing the ringing of the crossing bells. The space between these bells is filled with complex rhythms and grooves on two sets of drums, representing the sounds of rail cars in motion, covered in graffiti art.

This advanced multipercussion duet is filled with brilliant textures, focusing largely on hocketed passages between the players. Complex rudimental figures are interspersed with metallic sounds as both players trade phrases and support each other. The resulting sound is one of unity, as though a single entity is controlling the whole setup. Holmes has created a refreshing addition to the multipercussion repertoire, ideal for performance on recitals or contests by a pair of skilled players!

Crossing ships as a printed, professionally bound score, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.

Instrumentation

Drums — 2 concert snare drums, 2 concert toms (high/low)
Accessories — Zil-Bel, brake drum

Reviews

“Crossing” is an advanced multi-percussion duet that uses a small setup, with each player having two drums and sharing a Zil-Bel and brake drum between them. The Zil-Bel and brake drum represent railroad-crossing bells, and are used in a steady pattern overlaid by complicated polyrhythms on the drums that represent the sounds of rail cars moving through the crossing. The bell pattern is traded between players, often from beat to beat without disruption of the pattern, which requires rock-solid timing and ensemble skills.

“Crossing” is a unique and groovy piece that makes excellent use of thematic material. The piece sounds like a train crossing without being cartoony or losing complexity. Because the setup is small, it would be easy to put together rehearsals and not need to leave the instruments set up. Though there are only a few instruments, the sound palette is rich with rim knocks, rimshots, single-hand buzzes, turning the snares on and off,
and constantly shifting dynamics.

This piece calls for advanced timing and rhythmic skills, and precise stick control. At five minutes in length, the themes are fully explored without being worn out. This would be an excellent addition to a graduate percussion ensemble

—Marilyn K. Clark Silva
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 5, October 2022