Strike Anywhere
Purpose
Our "Strike Anywhere" Initiative aims to broaden the repertoire by incorporating more inclusive and accessible instrumentation. Traditionally, percussion repertoire has been dominated by expensive and bulky equipment, limiting performances to academic venues. However, pieces under this Initiative are designed to be playable using compact instruments.
Through "Strike Anywhere," we aspire to cultivate a more diverse musical landscape, enabling performances in non-traditional venues and facilitating participation by lower-income schools and ensembles due to the affordability of the instruments required.
Instrumentation
The Strike Anywhere Initiative seeks compositions tailored specifically for percussion quartet, trio, or duo, with potential incorporation of additional instrumentalists, vocalists, or alternative art forms. Instrumentation prioritizes adaptability and portability for venues of varying sizes, including intimate settings like coffee shops and classrooms.
Emphasis is placed on compact instrumentation, featuring small drums, student model mallet percussion, handheld instruments, and non-traditional implements like silverware or flower pots. Large concert percussion instruments such as marimbas and vibraphones are expressly excluded. While unconventional instruments like Earth Plates or tuned pipes may be integrated, such inclusions are treated as recommendations rather than requirements.
Each player is limited to a maximum of four instruments unless otherwise authorized. The number of performers can vary and the use of electronics is permitted, provided the setup is easily portable and user-friendly, with live processed electronics falling outside the project's accessibility scope.
Submission
Strike Anywhere accepts both completed works and inquiries to write works for the Initiative.
If you would like your piece to be considered for our Initiative the submission guidelines are below. Remember that this is a commissioning initiative and that any previously published or largely performed works are not eligible for acceptance.
Electronic delivery only
Email the following to info@matchstickpercussion.com
Submission application (.pdf) — found here
Score if applicable (.pdf)*
Midi recording if applicable (.wav, .aiff, .mp3, or .mp4)*
*These materials need only be submitted if the piece is already complete. Inquiries only need to submit an application