DIGITAL DANCES PROGRAM NOTES
My debut solo album showcases the evolution of my compositions and my heavy influence of video game music. The tracks are ordered not only such that the album is balances and flows well, but also in the chronological order I composed them! I hope the listener can hear the way my voice has changed over time when listening to the tracks in order.
You can find the album on your favorite streaming service or purchase it at the following links:
Spotify YouTube Music
Apple Music Amazon
Pandora Tidal
Physical Copy: Marco Schirripa Composition Store
Digital Download: Digital Dances on BandCamp
Digital Dances (2010)
Published by Keyboard Percussion Publications, 2015
Digital Dances is a marimba quartet composed for my friend and music school classmate Dan Pessalano, who premiered it on his Junior Recital at Ithaca College in December 2010. The work's five sections are heavily influenced by electronic dance music and video games such as Mega Man and Dance Dance Revolution. This rondo form incorporates a simple harmonic scheme with distinct melodic ideas in varying styles, from a straight-ahead ostinato, to fast odd-metered runs, to a four-on-the-floor break down, reminiscent of techno.
I composed this piece during the summer of 2010, between my junior and senior years of college. I spend several weeks composing this piece while also playing Mega Man 10 on my Wii, which was a new game at the time. I was OBSESSED with the music from Sheep Man's stage, "Cybersheep's Dream" which I think comes through very clearly right from the beginning of the piece. Another major influence was the Dance Dance Revolution series, which I played seriously and competitively for many years. Digital Dances certainly carries some harmonic similarities to one of my favorite tracks, not to mention the first level of Streets of Rage 2 for the Sega Genesis. Listen for yourself!
Cybersheep's Dream - YouTube Brilliant2U (Orchestra Groove) - YouTube Go Straight - YouTube
Music for a Child's Adventure (2012)
Published by Keyboard Percussion Publications, 2013
I. Prelude and Dance
II. Reflection
III. Finale
Written for Heather Hill and premiered in Ithaca, NY in 2012, Music for a Child’s Adventure is a large-scale, three movement work for solo marimba.
The piece is meant to be heard as a soundtrack to a young child’s imaginary journey over the course of an afternoon. The opening movement, “Prelude and Dance,” represents wonder and excitement for the adventure that lies ahead. After a chorale-style introduction, a jaunty dance in asymmetric meter symbolizes the departure from reality, into a fantasy world where anything is possible. The middle movement, “Reflection,” shows that our adventurer is now longing for home, while the “Finale” is the subsequent return to reality, just in time for dinner.
Children’s cartoons such as Rugrats heavily influenced the concept of the work, while the musical elements are inspired by fantasy video games, most notably Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Check out some of my favorite tracks from FF:CC below!
Monster Dance ~Rondo~ Kazenone Echoes at the Mountain Peak Sleeping Treasure in the Sand
Digital Dances 2 (2012)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2015
Digital Dances 2 is a second marimba quartet composed for Dan Pessalano, who premiered it at Ithaca College in 2012. Much like my first quartet, it carries a heavy and obvious influence of video game music and electronic dance music. There is not much else to say other than that I really enjoyed the music of Basshunter at the time...
Basshunter: Dota
Five Encounters for Viola and Marimba (2012)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2015
1. Sunrise over Vast Waters
2. I Met the Most Mysterious Man...
3. ROBO
4. Into a Snowblind
5. What is it Like to Fly?
Five Encounters for Viola & Marimba consists of five short, monothematic movements. Composed for violist Michael Capone and premiered in 2014, these five "bagatelles" are directly inspired by specific video game moments. While Mike and I have both performed this piece throughout our careers, this recording was our first time finally getting play it together!!
"Sunrise over Vast Waters" is simply the beginning of our story. Imagine the camera panning over a green expanse as the narrator begins our story. Life is simple and free before the villain causes trouble. Tales of Symphonia Prologue
"I Met the Most Mysterious Man..." is inspired by the shop theme in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. In the game, the main characters are whisked away from the real world into the fictional world of Ivalice, in which several FInal Fantasy games take place, and together have some of the best music in video game history (in my opinion).
Mysterious Shop, from FFTA
"ROBO" actually started as a short project for an Intro to Composition class during my undergraduate study at Ithaca College and evolved into this movement. The title lacks subtlety and is a nod to the character of the same name from Chrono Trigger: Robo's Theme
"Into a Snowblind" represents a hopeless trudging and a lack of will to continue on. During this movement I imagine a scene in which a character is caught in a blizzard desperately crawling for any hope of safety, with the only sound being the violent wisps of wind and snow. "Are We Alone?" from Frostpunk. There is also some harmonic influence from one of my greatest teachers and mentors, Gordon Stout.
"What is it Like to Fly?" is inspired by "airship" themes from many old-school JRPGs along with the general feeling of freedom, excitement, and hope that comes with the freedom of being able to fly throughout the world. This is not the last time on this album I will reference JRPG airship themes :-). I worked at GameStop for four years, and there are always TVs inside the store playing game trailers and all kinds of fun programming for customers. As someone who worked there, I heard many of these trailers loop over and over and over and over again throughout my shifts, with many pieces of background music sticking in my head, but not necessarily remembering what game they were from, since I wasn't always looking at the screen. The main melodic idea of this movement is loosely based on something I heard in one of these game trailers, which I have since figured out may be from the Final Fantasy XII Trailer. Also, I was playing The Last Remnant while writing this piece, and it contains one of my favorite final boss themes ever: Nisus, from The Last Remnant
Music for a Video Game (2017)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2018
The purpose of Music for a Video Game is to strongly resemble soundtracks from fantasy video games like Final Fantasy or The Legend of Zelda. The movements are ordered such that they tell a hypothetical story, beginning with a “Prologue” and ending with an “Epilogue.,” which recounts the thematic material from the other movements. Each inner movement represents a certain scene one may reasonably expect from a video game with a fantasy setting. Music for a Video Game was commissioned by Chandler Franco and premiered at Tennessee Tech University in March of 2018.
The Prologue takes inspiration from the opening cutscene of an epic RPG. Resonance of Fate opening scene Tales of Symphonia opening
“The King’s Procession and Decree” opens with a proud, deliberate march as royal figures are escorted in front of the public. A horn call then interjects signifying the arrival of the king, whose profound speech is represented by resonant, spacious, planed harmonies, followed by another march, and the king is escorted away. If you listen closely you may hear some thematic material which also appears in the 6th movement, "The Face of Evil." Hmmmm... Castle City of Jadd, from Seiken Densetsu 3 Royal City of Rabanastre, from Final Fantasy XII
“A Mysterious Forest” paints a portrait of a dark forest where one cannot see much outside light or any of the dangers that may lurk nearby. The movement includes an intense, march-like section flanked by sparse, gestural ideas. Ymir Forest, from Tales of Symphonia Forest of Keiv Moc, from Tales of Vesperia
“Riding on Wind, Soaring over Mountains” exudes the excitement of being able to fly and discovering interesting new places. The movement is tuneful, rhythmic, and relentless throughout. Remember when I said that "What is it Like to Fly?" wouldn't be the last airship reference? This one is directly inspired by Setzer's Theme from Final Fantasy VI, though I didn't realize it until later: Setzer's Theme
“Childhood Memories” is made up of chorales and moving, lyrical sections. It represents a fictional character’s reflection on his or her life and journey’s in the wake of impending danger. Aerith's Theme, from Final Fantasy VII Aerith's Theme (FF7 Remake)
“The Face of Evil” is the “final boss theme” of the story. Loud and intense throughout, it depicts the final epic struggle between good and evil. Boss Battle Theme from Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy VII Boss Theme
Digital Dances 3 (2018)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2018
Digital Dances No. 3 is the third in my series of marimba quartets based heavily on video game and electronic dance music. It employs a relentless, driving pulse and constantly changing meters, with harmonic influences from both popular and modern classical genres. It was commissioned by Dr. Corey Robinson and the University of Texas-Tyler Percussion Ensemble, who premiered the work at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, in San Antonio, TX on February 14, 2019.
This piece has become a staple of the Heartland Marimba Quartet repertoire, for which I am truly grateful. This piece represents where my approach to composition lies today, with a much more diverse range of musical tastes and influences, but the same childlike wonder and love for gaming I have always possessed. Night in Motion, from Dance Dance Revolution Xenon, from Dance Dance Revolution
Thank you so much for listening. This album would not be possible without the people who contributed and who encouraged me with their kind words and willingness to listen!
You can find the album on your favorite streaming service or purchase it at the following links:
Spotify YouTube Music
Apple Music Amazon
Pandora Tidal
Physical Copy: Marco Schirripa Composition Store
Digital Download: Digital Dances on BandCamp
Digital Dances (2010)
Published by Keyboard Percussion Publications, 2015
Digital Dances is a marimba quartet composed for my friend and music school classmate Dan Pessalano, who premiered it on his Junior Recital at Ithaca College in December 2010. The work's five sections are heavily influenced by electronic dance music and video games such as Mega Man and Dance Dance Revolution. This rondo form incorporates a simple harmonic scheme with distinct melodic ideas in varying styles, from a straight-ahead ostinato, to fast odd-metered runs, to a four-on-the-floor break down, reminiscent of techno.
I composed this piece during the summer of 2010, between my junior and senior years of college. I spend several weeks composing this piece while also playing Mega Man 10 on my Wii, which was a new game at the time. I was OBSESSED with the music from Sheep Man's stage, "Cybersheep's Dream" which I think comes through very clearly right from the beginning of the piece. Another major influence was the Dance Dance Revolution series, which I played seriously and competitively for many years. Digital Dances certainly carries some harmonic similarities to one of my favorite tracks, not to mention the first level of Streets of Rage 2 for the Sega Genesis. Listen for yourself!
Cybersheep's Dream - YouTube Brilliant2U (Orchestra Groove) - YouTube Go Straight - YouTube
Music for a Child's Adventure (2012)
Published by Keyboard Percussion Publications, 2013
I. Prelude and Dance
II. Reflection
III. Finale
Written for Heather Hill and premiered in Ithaca, NY in 2012, Music for a Child’s Adventure is a large-scale, three movement work for solo marimba.
The piece is meant to be heard as a soundtrack to a young child’s imaginary journey over the course of an afternoon. The opening movement, “Prelude and Dance,” represents wonder and excitement for the adventure that lies ahead. After a chorale-style introduction, a jaunty dance in asymmetric meter symbolizes the departure from reality, into a fantasy world where anything is possible. The middle movement, “Reflection,” shows that our adventurer is now longing for home, while the “Finale” is the subsequent return to reality, just in time for dinner.
Children’s cartoons such as Rugrats heavily influenced the concept of the work, while the musical elements are inspired by fantasy video games, most notably Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Check out some of my favorite tracks from FF:CC below!
Monster Dance ~Rondo~ Kazenone Echoes at the Mountain Peak Sleeping Treasure in the Sand
Digital Dances 2 (2012)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2015
Digital Dances 2 is a second marimba quartet composed for Dan Pessalano, who premiered it at Ithaca College in 2012. Much like my first quartet, it carries a heavy and obvious influence of video game music and electronic dance music. There is not much else to say other than that I really enjoyed the music of Basshunter at the time...
Basshunter: Dota
Five Encounters for Viola and Marimba (2012)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2015
1. Sunrise over Vast Waters
2. I Met the Most Mysterious Man...
3. ROBO
4. Into a Snowblind
5. What is it Like to Fly?
Five Encounters for Viola & Marimba consists of five short, monothematic movements. Composed for violist Michael Capone and premiered in 2014, these five "bagatelles" are directly inspired by specific video game moments. While Mike and I have both performed this piece throughout our careers, this recording was our first time finally getting play it together!!
"Sunrise over Vast Waters" is simply the beginning of our story. Imagine the camera panning over a green expanse as the narrator begins our story. Life is simple and free before the villain causes trouble. Tales of Symphonia Prologue
"I Met the Most Mysterious Man..." is inspired by the shop theme in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. In the game, the main characters are whisked away from the real world into the fictional world of Ivalice, in which several FInal Fantasy games take place, and together have some of the best music in video game history (in my opinion).
Mysterious Shop, from FFTA
"ROBO" actually started as a short project for an Intro to Composition class during my undergraduate study at Ithaca College and evolved into this movement. The title lacks subtlety and is a nod to the character of the same name from Chrono Trigger: Robo's Theme
"Into a Snowblind" represents a hopeless trudging and a lack of will to continue on. During this movement I imagine a scene in which a character is caught in a blizzard desperately crawling for any hope of safety, with the only sound being the violent wisps of wind and snow. "Are We Alone?" from Frostpunk. There is also some harmonic influence from one of my greatest teachers and mentors, Gordon Stout.
"What is it Like to Fly?" is inspired by "airship" themes from many old-school JRPGs along with the general feeling of freedom, excitement, and hope that comes with the freedom of being able to fly throughout the world. This is not the last time on this album I will reference JRPG airship themes :-). I worked at GameStop for four years, and there are always TVs inside the store playing game trailers and all kinds of fun programming for customers. As someone who worked there, I heard many of these trailers loop over and over and over and over again throughout my shifts, with many pieces of background music sticking in my head, but not necessarily remembering what game they were from, since I wasn't always looking at the screen. The main melodic idea of this movement is loosely based on something I heard in one of these game trailers, which I have since figured out may be from the Final Fantasy XII Trailer. Also, I was playing The Last Remnant while writing this piece, and it contains one of my favorite final boss themes ever: Nisus, from The Last Remnant
Music for a Video Game (2017)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2018
The purpose of Music for a Video Game is to strongly resemble soundtracks from fantasy video games like Final Fantasy or The Legend of Zelda. The movements are ordered such that they tell a hypothetical story, beginning with a “Prologue” and ending with an “Epilogue.,” which recounts the thematic material from the other movements. Each inner movement represents a certain scene one may reasonably expect from a video game with a fantasy setting. Music for a Video Game was commissioned by Chandler Franco and premiered at Tennessee Tech University in March of 2018.
The Prologue takes inspiration from the opening cutscene of an epic RPG. Resonance of Fate opening scene Tales of Symphonia opening
“The King’s Procession and Decree” opens with a proud, deliberate march as royal figures are escorted in front of the public. A horn call then interjects signifying the arrival of the king, whose profound speech is represented by resonant, spacious, planed harmonies, followed by another march, and the king is escorted away. If you listen closely you may hear some thematic material which also appears in the 6th movement, "The Face of Evil." Hmmmm... Castle City of Jadd, from Seiken Densetsu 3 Royal City of Rabanastre, from Final Fantasy XII
“A Mysterious Forest” paints a portrait of a dark forest where one cannot see much outside light or any of the dangers that may lurk nearby. The movement includes an intense, march-like section flanked by sparse, gestural ideas. Ymir Forest, from Tales of Symphonia Forest of Keiv Moc, from Tales of Vesperia
“Riding on Wind, Soaring over Mountains” exudes the excitement of being able to fly and discovering interesting new places. The movement is tuneful, rhythmic, and relentless throughout. Remember when I said that "What is it Like to Fly?" wouldn't be the last airship reference? This one is directly inspired by Setzer's Theme from Final Fantasy VI, though I didn't realize it until later: Setzer's Theme
“Childhood Memories” is made up of chorales and moving, lyrical sections. It represents a fictional character’s reflection on his or her life and journey’s in the wake of impending danger. Aerith's Theme, from Final Fantasy VII Aerith's Theme (FF7 Remake)
“The Face of Evil” is the “final boss theme” of the story. Loud and intense throughout, it depicts the final epic struggle between good and evil. Boss Battle Theme from Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy VII Boss Theme
Digital Dances 3 (2018)
Published by C. Alan Publications, 2018
Digital Dances No. 3 is the third in my series of marimba quartets based heavily on video game and electronic dance music. It employs a relentless, driving pulse and constantly changing meters, with harmonic influences from both popular and modern classical genres. It was commissioned by Dr. Corey Robinson and the University of Texas-Tyler Percussion Ensemble, who premiered the work at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, in San Antonio, TX on February 14, 2019.
This piece has become a staple of the Heartland Marimba Quartet repertoire, for which I am truly grateful. This piece represents where my approach to composition lies today, with a much more diverse range of musical tastes and influences, but the same childlike wonder and love for gaming I have always possessed. Night in Motion, from Dance Dance Revolution Xenon, from Dance Dance Revolution
Thank you so much for listening. This album would not be possible without the people who contributed and who encouraged me with their kind words and willingness to listen!