#Ferguson is a solo percussion work based upon Twitter feeds surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO on Aug. 9, 2014. The work has three characters: Michael Brown (tenor drum); Darren Wilson & the police (snare drum); the public response via Twitter (woodblocks). After Michael Brown was shot and killed by officer Darren Wilson, there were demonstrations and civil unrest. These demonstrations were met with police resistance and curfews. The shooting and following events underscore the racial disparities of the justice system.

In August and September 2014, #ferguson and other tweets pushed past 100,000 per day. By the time the piece premiered in February 2015, there were less than 10,000. Fading interest and mishandling of the situation by law enforcement and government officials leaves us not with resolution, but instead with questions. How can we construct positive changes after the shooting of Michael Brown? Has our political system (local, regional, state, and federal) opened any channels for dialogue surrounding racial profiling, or inequalities in the prison system? Or, have prejudices towards minorities, specifically towards African Americans, remained the status quo here in America?

I sincerely hope my last question is proven false.

Credits:
2.20.2015 concert performed by I-Jen Fang

For anyone wishing to perform #Ferguson, please contact me beforehand. All I ask is for an advance handshake, a performance recording, and a program. Here is the score.