Top Speed
Top Speed - Randall Standridge
Fast, driving, and full of attitude, Top Speed by Randall Standridge pushes young ensembles into high gear. Set in an unusual fast 3/4 meter and in B♭ major, this Grade 1.5 work blends elements of minimalism with the edge of heavy metal and the energy of pop music.
Aggressive percussion writing, bold rhythmic figures, and standout low brass licks fuel the momentum from start to finish. Exciting yet accessible, Top Speed makes a powerful opener or closer for concerts and festival performances alike.
Program Notes
I love going fast.
Now, before anyone gets concerned, let me clarify. I love going fast in video games. Racing games, in particular. There is something incredibly satisfying about pushing everything to the limit, hitting top speed, and flying down the track with absolutely no regard for caution. In real life, however… I drive like a little old man. That’s me being passed by everybody on the street, waving as they go by, and receiving more than my fair share of “single finger salutes.”
Top Speed lives somewhere between those two worlds.
This piece is a fast-paced work in 3/4 time that explores a side of the meter we do not hear very often. When most people think of 3/4, they think of waltzes. Graceful. Flowing. Elegant. I wanted to try something different. Something driving. Something energetic. Something that feels like it has its foot firmly on the gas pedal. The piece is written in ABA form, with an opening section that is rhythmic and relentless, followed by a more lyrical middle section that still maintains the same forward motion. There is no slowing down here. Once we hit top speed, we stay there.
Top Speed is also a reimagining of one of my more advanced works, Rev. I wanted to see if I could take that same sense of energy and excitement and make it accessible for younger ensembles, while still capturing the spirit of the original. Inspired by the intensity of video game music and the power of the symphonic band, this piece is all about momentum, precision, and the thrill of the ride.
So buckle up, hold on tight… and try to keep up. We’re going for a ride.
Peace, Love, and Music - RandallTop Speed was commissioned by the General Sherman Jr. High Band (Lancaster, OH), David Bode, director. I want to thank them for trusting me with this commission.