Medieval Percussion Suite

This three-movement work for young percussionists is based on styles or images from the Medieval period. Kyle H. Peters explains that each movement is meant to teach the performers “important skills to be successful while making music with others.”

The first movement, “Waltz,” is meant to increase confidence in playing music in 3/4. The rhythms are downbeat-heavy (bass drum and other instruments with accents), while also featuring eighth-note patterns, some flams, and playing on the rim of the drum. Additionally, the dynamics are quite varied with a good bit of soft playing.

For the second movement, “Carol,” Peters explains that the drums are treated as melodic instruments. As a result, each part is much more independent from the others as opposed to the homophonic texture of the first movement. Dynamics are very clearly notated to show which part should stand out in each phrase. In this movement, some performers are required to play drags, syncopated accents, and some sixteenth-note rhythms.

“Joust,” as you may guess, depicts the medieval contest. Thus, the music is marked at a bright tempo and characterized by the “1 &a, 2 &a” rhythm to represent a galloping horse. This movement requires performers to play in quick 2/4 time with sudden dynamic changes and more frequent sixteenth-note rhythms.

This piece is well-suited to serve the purpose for which it was composed: young percussionists with a small setup learning how to play independently, as well as together with their peers. I recommend “Medieval Percussion Suite” for any young percussion ensemble looking for a varied, accessible, and rewarding musical experience

—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 61, No. 2, April 2023