Scuttlebutt by Jim Casella

Scuttlebutt is Jim Casella’s newest composition for percussion ensemble, marking his third in a series of groove-based pieces for intermediate and developing percussion ensembles. Like the other two pieces in the series, Technology and Stormbreak, Scuttlebutt utilizes fairly basic instrumentation found in most band rooms. It relies heavily on a half-time snare backbeat while exploring various syncopated rhythms and triplet figures in the style of electronic dance music.

The rhythmic textures are first built from scratch, one layer at a time, allowing the performers to naturally build their ensemble awareness and listening skills. As the piece progresses they are expanded to mini-features and conversational ideas that get thrown around the ensemble in a way that’s certain to keep the audience wondering what will happen next!

Catchy, singable, and designed from the ground up to be a crowd pleaser, Scuttlebutt is crafted to not only challenge young percussionists but also to motivate them to become masters of simple-yet-powerful rhythmic ideas.