Ctrl-alt-deFreak
for trombone (or euphonium) and fixed media
2023 — 9"
 
Listen here at 45:00.
 
Download includes score, audio (.wav) files for performance, and demo (.mp3).
 
Program Note
Ctrl-Alt-deFreak is a collection of true events happening in the future as reported by trombone and fixed media. In an underwater expressway in Eastern Europe, a collection of street musicians play dreary klezmer melodies of old. After a chorus of dented horns joins in, bassy synths bring us into a canned soda factory full of precisely aligned machines. The aluminum becomes sentient and begins to play broken airhorns and glockenspiels to celebrate AI’s successful world domination. Tom Phillips, a member of the resistance, screeches in on his rusty hog to honk funky basslines in protest. Soon, the street band is back and much more caffeinated. Or are they now robots?? Their timing is a little too accurate… The real humans pick up their trash instruments and bleat wildly to fend off the robots. Tom returns with cool sunglasses and a much shinier electric hog. We’re all probably robots now, but everyone’s feeling pretty good about it as we sip our greasy martinis. Maybe AI isn’t so scary after all.
 
Technical Notes
Ctrl-Alt-deFreak should be performed with a stereo PA system or large speakers placed to the left and right of the trombonist. Place the speakers far enough away from each other so that appropriate stereo width is discernible by audience members. Set the level of the fixed media track so that the trombone feels soloistic but well-supported by the sounds. If available, the performer may use a monitor to aid in rhythmic accuracy.
 
Though .mp3 files are provided for ease of practice, perform the piece using .wav files only. There are two mixes available:
Ctrl-Alt-deFreak_Fixed-Media_Dry.wav is suitable for concert halls or other large spaces.
Ctrl-Alt-deFreak_Fixed-Media_Wet.wav is suitable for smaller rooms or a studio setting.
 
Commissioned by a Consortium
 
Consortium Leader
Dr. Sarah Paradis, Boise State University
 
Consortium Members
Lee Allen, Tianjin Juilliard School
Cole Bartels, Central Michigan University
Hana Beloglavec, Florida State University
Francis Cook, Laramie County Community College
Bill Haugeberg, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ross Holcombe, The Florida Orchestra
David Jackson, University of Michigan
Carson King-Fournier, Louisiana State University
Drew Leslie, Colorado State University
Brent Mead, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Sarah Miller, Washington State University
Cory Mixdorf, University of Arkansas
John Neurohr, Central Washington University
Will Porter, Ithaca College
Jemmie Roberston, University of Florida
Mark Soueidi, University of Idaho