“What to do until the power comes back on” (3+ players)

By Ann Southam

This piece, something of a novelty, is a great concert filler for all ensemble performances, from beginner to advanced alike.  The piece was originally composed for the Canadian Electronic Music Ensemble as a performance piece in case the power ever went out during a concert.  It requires two players hitting 5 spots on a table, and one or more assistants who must fill those spots with various objects.  The sounds chosen should typically be non-percussion instruments and everyday items. The assistants may choose at their own will where to put items on the table, so no two performances are ever the same.  This piece has ample room for some acting to get involved, so while the piece is rather simple to play, the possibilities are endless.

 

Annotated by Robert McCarthy