Composer’s Note:

Shifty Canons (2023) is an experiment in open score composition. The piece can be played by any size ensemble by any melodic instrument in any combination. The title came as I was creating the work. All the players are given the same music and play in the same tempo. No clef is indicated; the performer simply plays the notes as usual on their instrument. The lead player begins, and the other performers are instructed to follow with the same music at a time interval of their choosing. The process creates a canon. But because no specific time is given for the trailing instruments, the resulting canons will be different each time. The process creates unique counterpoint, harmonies, and textures in each performance since the instruments performing can be transposing or in “C” or using any clef. All combinations work and every performance is different.

Shifty Canons is an open score piece that can be performed by any size ensemble and played by any melodic instrument. Performers play the notated music using the clef usually associated with their instrument. There is no need to transpose the part. That said, the composer would suggest using a variety of transposing instruments and different clefs. The piece can be performed with or without a conductor. If there is no conductor, one player should be designated the leader that cues the group from one section to the next.