Disorientations

for low brass trio

(2020)

Tristan Scott
Instrumentation
2 Euphoniums
Bass Trombone

Program Notes
In lieu of traditional juries, my trombone professor wanted all his
students to compose a studio piece for us to record a multitrack of to
share online. While one other student was reminiscent over the days
before (and after) social distancing measures were put in place, I was
busy taking a more cynical approach to things. I wanted to create a
piece that embodied all the confusion and fear that erupted from the
COVID-19 Pandemic, and ask the question: What if this everything
goes to hell?

The piece’s title refers the overall confusion during these times and I
wanted to utilize it to disorient the music rhythmically, harmonically,
and melodically throughout. Even the instrumentation (and
placement within the staff) was also chosen to cause a bit more
confusion when traditional orchestration techniques and roles are
taken into account!

Throughout Disorientations, you’re taken through three main

sections. The first I like to refer to as “The Pandemic” (m.1-41) for its
very brute force approach to harmony, melody, and rhythm. The
piece, as it came, “transitions” to the second section, “The Cure” (m.
42-115) which is vastly more laid back. It jumps around styles until
finally landing in cut time for a free feeling restatement of the main
“Cure” melody. This is the biggest section by far with many ups and
downs because well, science like this takes so much time and can
become a roller coaster at times. The final section is what my lesson
teacher dubbed as “The Cure Didn’t Work” (m. 116- 129). This is a
final cataclysmic cry from all sides where all the roles get turned
upside down, the “Cure” is distorted, and dissonance reigns supreme.
Dedicated to those who have been effected

by the pandemic

Stay safe and we’ll all get out together