Venn Diagram for percussion ensemble
Publisher: C. Alan Publications (2015)
Composed: 2014
Duration: 6’15”
Difficulty: Medium
Instrumentation (9 players): bells, vibraphone, chimes, xylophone, 5.0-octave marimba, bongos, congas, cajon, shaker, tambourine, castanets
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Venn Diagram was composed with special attention to related items in sets of three. The piece features three groups of three performers in three percussion instrument categories: metal, wooden, and non-pitched. The piece is set in 9/8 time, with three different divisions of the measure: 3+3+3, 3+2+2+2, and 2+2+2+3. There are also three symmetrical scales utilized – octatonic, whole tone, and a synthetic scale with half-steps on either side of the midpoint pitch – and each scale is partnered with one of the three metric divisions. Venn Diagram is a pseudo-minimalistic work with numerous subtleties in phrasing and ensemble orchestration and was premiered by the Northern Arizona University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Steve Hemphill.

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Gottry has offered another excellent work to add to the percussion ensemble repertoire. The work will push younger students into learning how to groove in an odd meter, and how to execute the different subdivisions within 9/8 meter. – Josh Armstrong
Printed by permission of the Percussive Arts Society, inc.