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Matt Altmire’s exciting and fast-paced percussion ensemble piece Escape Route features two timpanists who are supported by six percussionists. The timpanists share a full set of four drums, with the first timpanist (stage left) playing the 23” and 26” drums, and second (stage right) playing the 29” and 32” drums. With the drums orchestrated this way, the players often split parts and, if executed well, are able to sound like one cohesive timpanist.
The six accompanying parts are comprised of standard percussion instruments, which can be found in any band room, such as bass drum, cymbals, snare drums, tambourine, and triangle. This is a perfect way to showcase two performers and begin or conclude a percussion concert on a fun, energetic note!
Escape Route comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• 4 timpani*
• Drums (2 snare drums**, concert BD)
• Concert BD
• Tambourine
• Triangle
• Crash Cymbals
*Split between two players. One player uses the 23" & 26" drums, the other uses the 29" & 32" drums.
**A small tom-tom may be substituted for one of the snare drums.
“Escape Route” is a high-energy work for percussion ensemble. Though written for eight players, it could be described as a feature for two timpanists with percussion accompaniment. With one player using the top two drums and the other using the bottom two drums, the timpanists are placed on opposite sides of the percussion section and spread across the stage for a dramatic antiphonal effect.
While the piece is marked at a very brisk tempo, a strict and steady 4/4 meter is utilized throughout. All rhythms consist of quarter-, eighth-, or sixteenth-note combinations with the exception of two quarter-note triplets at the very end. Though both timpani parts are the focal point of the piece, the percussion parts are equally difficult and could be performed by most middle school players.
“Escape Route” serves as an exceptional teaching tool for band directors. Not only does it showcase an instrument that rarely contributes significantly at this level, it explores techniques such as knee/fist playing on tambourine, muffling on triangle, and various beating spots on bass drum. It would fit well in a variety of performance situations and provide some excitement for the percussionist in your section.
—Danielle Moreau
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 5, October 2021
Matt Altmire’s exciting and fast-paced percussion ensemble piece Escape Route features two timpanists who are supported by six percussionists. The timpanists share a full set of four drums, with the first timpanist (stage left) playing the 23” and 26” drums, and second (stage right) playing the 29” and 32” drums. With the drums orchestrated this way, the players often split parts and, if executed well, are able to sound like one cohesive timpanist.
The six accompanying parts are comprised of standard percussion instruments, which can be found in any band room, such as bass drum, cymbals, snare drums, tambourine, and triangle. This is a perfect way to showcase two performers and begin or conclude a percussion concert on a fun, energetic note!
Escape Route comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• 4 timpani*
• Drums (2 snare drums**, concert BD)
• Concert BD
• Tambourine
• Triangle
• Crash Cymbals
*Split between two players. One player uses the 23" & 26" drums, the other uses the 29" & 32" drums.
**A small tom-tom may be substituted for one of the snare drums.
“Escape Route” is a high-energy work for percussion ensemble. Though written for eight players, it could be described as a feature for two timpanists with percussion accompaniment. With one player using the top two drums and the other using the bottom two drums, the timpanists are placed on opposite sides of the percussion section and spread across the stage for a dramatic antiphonal effect.
While the piece is marked at a very brisk tempo, a strict and steady 4/4 meter is utilized throughout. All rhythms consist of quarter-, eighth-, or sixteenth-note combinations with the exception of two quarter-note triplets at the very end. Though both timpani parts are the focal point of the piece, the percussion parts are equally difficult and could be performed by most middle school players.
“Escape Route” serves as an exceptional teaching tool for band directors. Not only does it showcase an instrument that rarely contributes significantly at this level, it explores techniques such as knee/fist playing on tambourine, muffling on triangle, and various beating spots on bass drum. It would fit well in a variety of performance situations and provide some excitement for the percussionist in your section.
—Danielle Moreau
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 5, October 2021
