Edge Effect

Edge Effect (newly updated - 2024) is a colourful, eccentric and highly rhythmic work for mixed-ability flute ensemble, moving from a strange, other-worldly opening into an explosively energetic groove.

First premiered at the Australian Flute Festival in Sydney in July 2019, the piece is built around two very different musical worlds. The opening is deliberately weird, wondrous and slightly unsettling, with four enormous crescendos, each followed by a sudden stab and quiet echoes underneath.

Then everything changes.

The second half launches into a super-rhythmic, extremely groovy section, designed to energise both the ensemble and the audience. There are opportunities for featured solos, which can be taken by members of the ensemble, guest artists, or even the conductor. At the premiere, I played the solo myself while conducting.

The piece also makes playful use of contemporary flute techniques, including explosive articulation, tongue stops, supra-glottal stops, and something I call a BLARGE: an engineered, directed moment of musical chaos!

As with much of my ensemble writing, the six concert-flute parts are deliberately written at different technical levels. Every player should feel engaged and stretched, but nobody should ever feel overwhelmed. The more accessible parts remain musically important, while the stronger players are given enough technical and rhythmic responsibility to really drive the ensemble.

Quick details

• Mixed-ability flute ensemble / flute choir

• Six concert-flute parts at deliberately different levels

• Flutes 1 & 2: Advanced

• Flutes 3 & 4: Intermediate

• Flutes 5 & 6: Developing Intermediate

• Alto Flute

• Bass Flute, with optional Contrabass Flute

• Strong contrast between an atmospheric opening and a driving rhythmic second section

• Featured solo opportunities

• Contemporary and extended flute techniques

• Includes Explosive Articulation, Tongue Stops, Supra-Glottal Stops and BLARGE

• Particularly suited to flute festivals, workshops, school, university and community flute ensembles

• Newly updated in August 2024

• Printed score purchasers can request complimentary PDF individual flute parts

Instrumentation & player levels

• Flute 1
  Advanced – Advanced High School / Pre-College

• Flute 2
  Advanced – Advanced High School / Pre-College

• Flute 3
  Intermediate – Strong Middle School

• Flute 4
  Intermediate – Strong Middle School

• Flute 5
  Developing Intermediate – Average Middle School

• Flute 6
  Developing Intermediate – Average Middle School

• Alto Flute
  Upper Intermediate to Advanced
  One part, with two players preferred

• Bass Flute
  Upper Intermediate to Advanced

• Contrabass Flute, optional
  Advanced

The six concert-flute parts deliberately spread the technical demands across the ensemble. Flutes 1 and 2 take the most advanced material, Flutes 3 and 4 sit comfortably at an Intermediate level, while Flutes 5 and 6 provide more accessible writing without reducing those players to merely filling out the harmony.

The Alto and Bass Flute writing is best suited to confident low-flute players. The score also allows for Contrabass Flute where available.

Extended techniques

Edge Effect uses contemporary flute sounds as part of the character and theatre of the music rather than simply as technical effects.

These include:

• Explosive Articulation

• Tongue Stops

• Supra-Glottal Stops

• BLARGE – my own engineered form of directed chaos, where the ensemble creates something deliberately unruly while still operating under the control (more or less) of the conductor!

These sounds are particularly important in establishing the eccentric, almost other-worldly personality of the opening section.

The musical journey

The first half of Edge Effect inhabits a strange and spacious musical landscape. Four huge crescendos build and collapse into powerful stabs, with very soft echoes appearing underneath.

The music then pivots into something completely different: a driving, highly rhythmic groove with considerably more forward momentum.

This second section also opens the door for featured improvised solo playing. The solos can be taken by ensemble members, visiting artists or even the conductor, making the piece particularly adaptable for flute festivals and events involving a guest performer.

I have also transcribed my original solo so that it can be performed by two flutes, and that version is available as a free download from this page.

Printed score + complimentary PDF parts

If you purchase the printed score, you can also request a complimentary PDF set of the individual flute parts during checkout.

These are provided to save conductors and ensemble directors the need to photocopy individual parts from the printed score.

Frequently asked questions

What level is Edge Effect?
It is deliberately written for a mixed-ability ensemble. Flutes 1 and 2 are Advanced, Flutes 3 and 4 are Intermediate, and Flutes 5 and 6 are more accessible Developing Intermediate parts. The low-flute writing is best suited to confident Upper Intermediate or Advanced players.

Does Edge Effect use extended flute techniques?
Yes. The piece includes Explosive Articulation, Tongue Stops, Supra-Glottal Stops and BLARGE, an engineered form of directed musical chaos.

What on earth is a BLARGE?
A BLARGE is a deliberately engineered and directed moment of chaos. It is designed to sound wild and unpredictable without the ensemble simply abandoning all musical control. (while following the conductor - of course!)

Does the piece include solos?
Yes. There are opportunities for featured solos during the rhythmic section. These can be played by members of the ensemble, guest artists or even the conductor. A version of my original solo arranged for two flutes can also be downloaded free from this page.

Do I need low flutes?
The scoring includes Alto and Bass Flute, with Contrabass Flute available as an optional addition. The Alto Flute part particularly benefits from two players where numbers permit.

Is Edge Effect suitable for a mixed-ability flute choir?
Yes. That is central to the way the six concert-flute parts are designed. The aim is for every player to have meaningful musical material that stretches them appropriately without overwhelming them.

Are individual PDF parts available with the printed score?
Yes. Purchasers of the printed score can request complimentary PDF individual flute parts when ordering.