Three Clockwork Machines, by N. M. Gorman

Clocks come in many shapes, styles, and sizes, and percussion instruments work wonders for mimicking the inner machinations of these timepieces. N. M. Gorman's Three Clockwork Machines is a short suite for young percussion ensemble with nine (or more) players. Each movement of the suite embodies a different type of timepiece, and in essence, time itself. An Antique Timepiece is modeled after a more traditional clock, with the "tick tock" of the woodblocks as both the players' and listeners' guide. A Funky Wristwatch is a clockwork waltz that builds from the ground up, with soloistic opportunities in the woodblocks and cowbells. The End of the Clock Tower tells the story of an old clock tower as it rings its last bells, with many opportunities for mallet instruments to shine and improvised solos from two talking drums. With a bang, the tower starts to crumble as the movement races to a close! Three Clockwork Machines was written for the Virgil I. Grissom Middle School Percussion Ensemble.

Required Number of Players: 9

Recommended Number of Players: 14

Instrumentation: Timpani, Percussion 1 (Wood Blocks, Conga, Brake Drum, Vibraslap)*, Percussion 2 (High Tom, Cabasa, Suspended Cymbal, Chimes)*, Percussion 3 (Low Tom, Train Whistle, Crash Cymbals, Talking Drum 1)*, Percussion 4 (Doumbek, Tambourine, Bongos, Talking Drum 2)§, Percussion 5 (Snare Drum, Hi-Hat, Tam-Tam, Glockenspiel 1)^, Percussion 6 (Djembe, Mark Tree, Cowbells, Glockenspiel 2)^, Percussion 7 (Bass Drum, Triangle, Whip, Xylophone 1)^, Percussion 8 (Cajon, Bell Tree, Claves, Xylophone 2)^

*Two players recommended during movement one for Percussion 1, 2, and 3

^Two players recommended during movement two for Percussion 5, 6, 7, and 8

§Two players recommended during movement three for Percussion 4

Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Duration: 4:30

Cover Artwork: J. A. Pinzón