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)