Making Of The Drum, The

Description: This work is suitable for SATB and percussion instruments (4 sand blocks (optional), 2 rainsticks, 2 claves, 1 shaker, and a low-pitched tomtom played with hard sticks) or SATB and low-pitched tomtom played with hard sticks, and marimba. This unusual and highly effective choral cantata in five sections uses poems which are a celebration of how the living spirit of the drum is brought alive. This is an exuberant and rhythmic work, and hugely exciting. All percussion is played by members of the chorus. The unpitched percussion parts are printed in the vocal score. Review: The total duration of this work is approximately 12 minutes and I have no doubt that, for a choir capable of achieving the subtlety of expression, rhythmic vitality and dealing with the sometimes complex lines, this would provide a very worthwhile challenge. As the cover note says, it has the capacity to be 'exuberant, rhythmic and hugely exciting'. Music Teacher Nov 2000 Table of Contents: The Skin; The Barrel of the Drum; The Two Curved Sticks of the Drummer; Gourds and Rattles; The Gong-Gong