The Making of the Drum

Oxford University Press
For SATB choir and percussion
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 12 minutes

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.

Contents:

• The Skin
• The Barrel of the Drum
• The Two Curved Sticks of the Drummer
• Gourds and Rattles
• The Gong-Gong