Points In The Sky for Clarinet, Percussion, and Computer-controlled Electronics
Points in the Sky is the first of a projected series of works for live instruments and
computer controlled electronics. In this particular composition the computer is
treated as simply another performer, one who is capable of leading as well as following
and one who has a specific, established part to perform. To a large degree the percussionist functions as the conductor, or perhaps more accurately, the coordinator.
Originally sensors mounted to various percussion instruments were used to convey triggering information to the computer which, in turn, was programmed to respond by sending data to an electronics sound generation module. To simplify the process and make the work more "portable," a single footpedal was substituted for the original
triggers. Points in the Sky was written for and dedicated to clarinetist Robert Spring and percussionist JB Smith under the sponsorship of the Arizona State University Institute for Studies in the Arts.