nodal_points by Ben Hausman

The concept of nodal_points came to me in November of 2021, while at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. I was sitting at a table for dinner with a group of some friends when I noticed something odd about the situation.

I was sitting between a number of people I was close with, but I was not actively a part of either of the conversations actively at play. This odd sensation was one I had experienced numerous times growing up, but this was the first time I had fully given a name to it. I was at the nodal point of the table. The point with the least amount of vibration.

I knew I wanted to write about this for a while but it was not until the Fall of 2022, one year later, that I found the inspiration and time to fully make this concept come true.

nodal_points was inspired by this sensation and the image of a venn diagram, with the point in the middle being that place the piece found its name. Performers are expected to not only drum, but also speak and sing throughout the later half of the piece; giving the same experience of disorientation and confusion I felt at that dinner.

The piece is happily dedicated to the members of the Omni Percussion duo: Bryce Cotton and MacKenzie Wiseman.

Learn more about the composer