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Voyager by Francisco Perez is a light-hearted percussion ensemble work inspired by the life of Perez's beloved 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.
This 12–13 player ensemble captures the joyful escapades that are synonymous with a happy pup. The subject matter of the piece easily translates to middle or high school students and provides ample opportunities to identify the various sections of the piece with Charles' daytime shenanigans. Perez has woven heroic melodies, driving rhythms, and catchy Soca patterns throughout that will instantly connect with students and audiences.
Voyager ships as a printed, professionally bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.
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)
“Voyager” was commissioned by Salyards Middle School in Cypress, Texas. The piece is built on a melodic motif based on the spelling of the com- poser’s dog’s name, Charles. The piece explores the average day of the dog’s life and is divided into five distinct sections; “A Sluggish Awakening,” “Morning Zooms,” “Dreaming of Chasing Cats,” “Midday Voracity,” and “Evening Flight.”
Each section maintains the melodic material; only the feeling, or underlying rhythmic motion, directs the different sections. “A Sluggish Awakening” opens the work, and much like the description, it begins slowly and softly, building to a faster tempo and rhythms. “Morning Zooms” has the fast rhythmic underpinnings of a dog running around the house. “Dreaming of Chasing Cats” captures the experience of watching a dog napping as its paws twitch. Hairpin dynamics and sixteenth notes split amongst the keyboards slow down over the section, allowing for a tranquil end. “Midday Voracity,” again using the same melodic material, has strong rhythmic interjections from the battery and auxiliary over fast moving sixteenth notes in the keyboard, with a groove in the low end. Finally, “Evening Zoom” recreates a dog riding in the car with its head out of the window, maybe bouncing from window to window trying to see everything that is outside. The piece culminates with unison quarter-note triplets slowing down to a triumphant end to the day
Players will need basic rhythmic and two-mallet technical knowledge. The parts that sound difficult are done through the combination, and not through one part alone. Although some syncopation is used, it is basic, and something that most middle school students should be able to feel and count.
This five-minute work would be a great addition to a middle school band concert. Through the descriptions given by the composer, there is room to have conversations with students about how the sections are being presented. Students are sure to have a blast learning and performing this piece, and the audience is sure to love it as well. Francisco Perez has given us a great addition to the younger percussion ensemble repertoire!
—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 1, February 2024
Voyager by Francisco Perez is a light-hearted percussion ensemble work inspired by the life of Perez's beloved 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.
This 12–13 player ensemble captures the joyful escapades that are synonymous with a happy pup. The subject matter of the piece easily translates to middle or high school students and provides ample opportunities to identify the various sections of the piece with Charles' daytime shenanigans. Perez has woven heroic melodies, driving rhythms, and catchy Soca patterns throughout that will instantly connect with students and audiences.
Voyager ships as a printed, professionally bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.
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)
“Voyager” was commissioned by Salyards Middle School in Cypress, Texas. The piece is built on a melodic motif based on the spelling of the com- poser’s dog’s name, Charles. The piece explores the average day of the dog’s life and is divided into five distinct sections; “A Sluggish Awakening,” “Morning Zooms,” “Dreaming of Chasing Cats,” “Midday Voracity,” and “Evening Flight.”
Each section maintains the melodic material; only the feeling, or underlying rhythmic motion, directs the different sections. “A Sluggish Awakening” opens the work, and much like the description, it begins slowly and softly, building to a faster tempo and rhythms. “Morning Zooms” has the fast rhythmic underpinnings of a dog running around the house. “Dreaming of Chasing Cats” captures the experience of watching a dog napping as its paws twitch. Hairpin dynamics and sixteenth notes split amongst the keyboards slow down over the section, allowing for a tranquil end. “Midday Voracity,” again using the same melodic material, has strong rhythmic interjections from the battery and auxiliary over fast moving sixteenth notes in the keyboard, with a groove in the low end. Finally, “Evening Zoom” recreates a dog riding in the car with its head out of the window, maybe bouncing from window to window trying to see everything that is outside. The piece culminates with unison quarter-note triplets slowing down to a triumphant end to the day
Players will need basic rhythmic and two-mallet technical knowledge. The parts that sound difficult are done through the combination, and not through one part alone. Although some syncopation is used, it is basic, and something that most middle school students should be able to feel and count.
This five-minute work would be a great addition to a middle school band concert. Through the descriptions given by the composer, there is room to have conversations with students about how the sections are being presented. Students are sure to have a blast learning and performing this piece, and the audience is sure to love it as well. Francisco Perez has given us a great addition to the younger percussion ensemble repertoire!
—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 1, February 2024
