(O)r(B)it by Korry Friend

(O)r(B)it by Korry Friend is a dreamlike 6-person percussion ensemble filled with the fondness of the past. Written as a token of friendship, (O)r(B)it acts as a memento to the memories formed in Friend’s collegiate days. The piece was originally written as a marimba duo with both performers singing, with the vibraphones taking over the melodic material and the addition of a drum set-like cajon groove providing the foundation.

(O)r(B)it consists of 2 marimbas (one 4.0-octave and one 5.0-octave), 3 vibraphones, and 1 cajon. Both marimbas carry the harmonic language and energy of the piece; bouncing between swirling textures in the upper and lower registers of the instruments and syncopated rhythms adding to the groovy elements of the piece. Vibraphones 1 and 2 act as the lead singers of the band with their soaring melodic lines, and Vibraphone 3 serves a more percussive nature aiding the marimbas in their musical role. Rounding out the piece, the cajon provides the backbeat and overall groove that glues the piece together.