Blue Plate, The

The Blue Plate
Composed by Nicole Chamberlain
for Flute, French Horn, and Piano
Published by Spotted Rocket
Includes score, flute part, and french horn part

       The Blue Plate was commissioned by the flute, horn, and piano ensemble The Kitchen Sync. The ensemble consists of Dr. Katherine Emeneth, Dr. Catherine Kilroe-Smith, and Dr. Akiko Iguchi. Each member of the ensemble is from a different country, and requested the music reflect their heritage.
       The first movement, Chakalaka, represents Dr. Catherine Kilroe-Smith's home country of South Africa. Chakala is a spicy tomato bean relish traditionally served with bread, pap, samp, stews, or curries. Woven throughout the movement is the folk song “Shosholoza” which was sung by Ndebele migrant workers that were working in the South African mines: 
       “Go forward! Go forward from those mountains on this train from South Africa! Go forward! Go forward! You are running away! You are running away from those mountains on this train from South Africa!”
       In the second movement, Sata Andagi, Dr. Akiko Iguchi's homeland of Japan is the influence of this movement. This movement is influenced by the music found in Okinawa, or shim-uta. In the opening theme, the pianists plucks the inside of the piano to mimic the sanshin, and instrument used often in shim-uta. Sata Andagi is a type of sweet deep fried doughnut found in Okinawa and seemed appropriate for this sweet music represented in the movement. 
       In the final movement, Grits, not only are Dr. Katherine Emeneth's American roots represented, but also ties together all three members and the composer's ties with Athens, Georgia. Fight song of the University of Georgia, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, can be heard throughout the piece. Georgia has also had its history with the civil rights movement which is always at the forefront of issues, you will also hear “We Shall Overcome”. Lastly, since this is a movement for Dr. Emeneth, you will also hear “Stars and Stripes Forever”. Grits is a dish of coarsely ground corn kernels boiled with water or milk. You haven't lived in the south unless you've eaten them or a part of your scrappy personality.

Extended Techniques:
Flute:
Pizzicato – Finger the pitch indicated by the notation. Use a hard “Do” or Tu” articulation to produce a percussive effect similar to what you may hear strings produce when plucking strings.
Jet Whistle – Finger the pitch indicated in the notation. Cover the embouchure hole completely with the lips. Blow using an extreme force of air. 
Ch, Ki, and Shh – In a “beat boxing” style, use these syllables as articulation for the pitch indicated in the notation. This will not produce a full tone, but more of a breathy percussive effect.
Pitch bend – Bend pitch down a quarter tone by playing flat or bending the pitch by rolling in the headjoint.
Foot stomp – Stomp foot loudly on a hard surface.

Horn in F: 
Blow air through horn – Blow through horn without buzzing, producing a wind sound. 
Flap tongue – Flapping the tongue into the mouthpiece producing a more percussive sound than tone.
Pitch bend – Bend pitch down using lips and face or hand in bell.
Foot stomp – Stomp foot loudly on a hard surface.

Piano:
Pizz – Pluck the pitched string inside the piano.
Foot stomp – Stomp foot loudly on a hard surface.