RACECAR
for trombone and drumset
Publisher: Gottry Publications (2025)
Composed: 2024
Duration: 3’45”
Difficulty: Medium-Difficult

An exploration of palindromes in form, rhythm, and pitch, RACECAR is an exciting work for trombone and drumset where virtually everything you hear comes back in reverse. The overall arch form of this piece–ABCDCBA–is the most obvious palindromic feature, but numerous smaller elements embody this unifying characteristic. The piece opens with a spelling of the word “racecar” in the trombone (the pitch “D” substituting for “R”) while the drums supply an Afro-Cuban groove that sounds the same forward and backward. As the style shifts to a jazz waltz, the trombone rhythms are derived from palindromic Morse code vocabulary (SOS, DLD, etc.). The rock groove that emerges next also sounds the same in both directions and serves as a foundation for longer trombone phrases that reverse themselves halfway through. A slower, half-time passage is inspired by the French-American rudimental writing of Joe Tompkins and gives the trombone a little space to breathe before the piece works itself back through the rock, jazz waltz, and Afro-Cuban sections previously introduced. A brief codetta ends the piece with an impactful unison final statement. Strap yourself in for a fun ride through multiple styles in this entertaining and unique composition for trombone and drumset!

RACECAR was commissioned by Matt Lennex. A consortium of additional partners for this duet include Tony Baker, Paul Compton, Emmett Goods, Alex Iles, Keith Jackson, Cory Mixdorf, John S. Neurohr, Aaron Ragsdale, Bruce Tychinski, and Pete Zambito.

This work is currently available to commission partners only. It will be published in early 2025.