Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: drumline and orchestra with optional student drumline Instrumentation: West Powelton Drumline (snares, basses and quads), 2 flutes (2 doubles picc.), 2 ob (1 doubles EH), 2 cl in Bb (2 doubles bass cl), 2 bsns, 4 horns, 3 tpts in Bb, 2 tenor tbns, 1 bs, tbn, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), harp, strings Duration: 17 minutes Premiere: West Powelton Drumline (aka Sixers Stixers) and the Main Line Symphony, conducted by Don Liuzzi, Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025. Learn more about the World Premiere performance here. Commissioned by:Musicopia for their 50th Year Anniversary Logo by: Louise Clearfield
Published by: Angelfire Press. Distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts. For questions, contact Andrea:
Commissioner Quote
“DUO for Symphony and Stix is both emotionally moving and electric. We commissioned Andrea Clearfield for this work because of her deep respect for cultural traditions and her gift for bringing communities together through music. She created a vibrant collaboration that united the West Powelton Drummers and the symphony in a shared musical language. From conductor-performer exchanges to swaying strings and spoken word rhythms, the piece blurs boundaries and celebrates the artistry of drumlines. The energy in the room during its premiere at our 50th Anniversary Concert was palpable, with the audience cheering throughout. DUO is a joyful, groundbreaking work that orchestras everywhere should consider programming, not only for its musical energy and beauty, but for its powerful message of inclusion, cultural celebration, and community connection.”
— Catherine Marie Charlton, CEO, Musicopia; Artistic Producer, Drumlines at the Symphony
This work was commissioned by Musicopia in honor of their 50-Year Anniversary, celebrating the self-confidence, global awareness, dedication, and joy nurtured through their music education and enrichment programs for hundreds of thousands of students and their communities, past, present, and future. Symbolizing a bridging of cultural traditions that have historically occupied separate spaces, this work honors the artistic and cultural significance of Philadelphia’s drum squad traditions. For over a year I worked with Antoine and these master drummers to learn their beats and come up with new ones, as well as spoken words and movements for the orchestra. This work honors Antoine Mapp and the West Powelton (aka Sixers Stixers) drumline and their mission, to help kids by giving them drums – their motto is “Put down your guns, pick up your drums”.
Deep gratitude to Catherine Marie Charlton, President & CEO of Musicopia, for her extraordinary vision to bring together the symphony and drumline in a commissioned work celebrating the 50-Year Anniversary of Musicopia, and for making this commission possible. I also extend my gratitude to Antoine Mapp and the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad (aka Sixers Stixers) for their collaborative work on this piece and their willingness to share their beats. A special thank you to Yaddo and Alex Shapiro for providing invaluable time and space to create this work and to my mother, Louise Clearfield for the logo art. — Andrea Clearfield
TEXT
Written collaboratively with West Powelton Drumline. 1st Time Drumline, 2nd Time, Call and Response with Audience
Symphony & Stix
Music in the Mix
Symphony & Stix
Fusion with a Twist
Symphony & Stix
Rhythm That Clicks
Symphony & Stix
Don’t You Ever Quit
You Gotta Use Your Gifts
We Don’t Ever Quit
We Gotta Use Our Gifts!
DUO for Symphony & Stix
Scored for: drumline and orchestra with optional student drumline
Instrumentation: West Powelton Drumline (snares, basses and quads), 2 flutes (2 doubles picc.), 2 ob (1 doubles EH), 2 cl in Bb (2 doubles bass cl), 2 bsns, 4 horns, 3 tpts in Bb, 2 tenor tbns, 1 bs, tbn, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), harp, strings
Duration: 17 minutes
Premiere: West Powelton Drumline (aka Sixers Stixers) and the Main Line Symphony, conducted by Don Liuzzi, Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025. Learn more about the World Premiere performance here.
Commissioned by: Musicopia for their 50th Year Anniversary
Logo by: Louise Clearfield
Published by: Angelfire Press. Distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts. For questions, contact Andrea:
Commissioner Quote
“DUO for Symphony and Stix is both emotionally moving and electric. We commissioned Andrea Clearfield for this work because of her deep respect for cultural traditions and her gift for bringing communities together through music. She created a vibrant collaboration that united the West Powelton Drummers and the symphony in a shared musical language. From conductor-performer exchanges to swaying strings and spoken word rhythms, the piece blurs boundaries and celebrates the artistry of drumlines. The energy in the room during its premiere at our 50th Anniversary Concert was palpable, with the audience cheering throughout. DUO is a joyful, groundbreaking work that orchestras everywhere should consider programming, not only for its musical energy and beauty, but for its powerful message of inclusion, cultural celebration, and community connection.”
— Catherine Marie Charlton, CEO, Musicopia; Artistic Producer, Drumlines at the Symphony
WATCH excerpt on NBC10 News
WATCH (5 minute clip)
WATCH (1:29 min. excerpt)
WATCH (premiere performance)
NOTES
This work was commissioned by Musicopia in honor of their 50-Year Anniversary, celebrating the self-confidence, global awareness, dedication, and joy nurtured through their music education and enrichment programs for hundreds of thousands of students and their communities, past, present, and future. Symbolizing a bridging of cultural traditions that have historically occupied separate spaces, this work honors the artistic and cultural significance of Philadelphia’s drum squad traditions. For over a year I worked with Antoine and these master drummers to learn their beats and come up with new ones, as well as spoken words and movements for the orchestra. This work honors Antoine Mapp and the West Powelton (aka Sixers Stixers) drumline and their mission, to help kids by giving them drums – their motto is “Put down your guns, pick up your drums”.
Deep gratitude to Catherine Marie Charlton, President & CEO of Musicopia, for her extraordinary vision to bring together the symphony and drumline in a commissioned work celebrating the 50-Year Anniversary of Musicopia, and for making this commission possible. I also extend my gratitude to Antoine Mapp and the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad (aka Sixers Stixers) for their collaborative work on this piece and their willingness to share their beats. A special thank you to Yaddo and Alex Shapiro for providing invaluable time and space to create this work and to my mother, Louise Clearfield for the logo art. — Andrea Clearfield
TEXT
Written collaboratively with West Powelton Drumline. 1st Time Drumline, 2nd Time, Call and Response with Audience
Symphony & Stix
Music in the Mix
Symphony & Stix
Fusion with a Twist
Symphony & Stix
Rhythm That Clicks
Symphony & Stix
Don’t You Ever Quit
You Gotta Use Your Gifts
We Don’t Ever Quit
We Gotta Use Our Gifts!