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Voyager (2022)

Percussion Ensemble, 12-13 players (6')

Program Notes

Voyager is a light-hearted work for percussion ensemble inspired by the life of my spoiled dog, Charles. As a programmatic depiction of his average day during the summer, this work is comprised of five episodes which musically illustrate everything from his lazy mornings to his exhilarating evening car rides. Of note, the main motif in Voyager is derived from the musical spelling of Charles' name.


I. A Sluggish Awakening

II. Morning Zooms

III. Dreaming of Chasing Cats

IV. Mid-day Voracity

V. Evening Flight


Voyager was commissioned by Chris Nguyen and the Salyards Middle School Percussion Ensemble (Cypress, TX) for their performance at The Midwest Clinic 2022.

Instrumentation
  • Glockenspiel

  • Vibraphone (1 or 2)

  • Chimes

  • Xylophone

  • 3 Marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) low A, (1) 5-octave*

  • 4 Timpani

  • Drums — concert bass drum, 4 concert toms, impact drum, snare drum

  • Cymbals & gongs — hi-hat, sizzle cymbal, 3 suspended cymbals, tam-tam

  • Accessories — mark tree, 2 triangles

*optional low A in place of 5-octave (alternate part included)

© 2026 by Francisco Perez

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