Mako

Susan Powell

General Info

Year: 2021
Duration: c. 4:45
Difficulty: 6 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Whirlygigs
Cost: Score and Parts - $40.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I: Low Drum, High Drum, Wood, Ching Cymbal (Shared with Player 2)
Player II: Drum, Low Wood, High Wood, Ching Cymbal (Shared with Player 2)
Player III: Low Drum, High Drum, Wood
Player IV: Drum, Metal
Player V: Drum, Low Wood, High Wood

Drums – djun-djun, shime-daiko, Chinese tom-tom, tubano, bongos, conga
Woods – wood blocks, jam blocks, log drums
Player 5 – metal–stacked cymbals, creating a short ‘trashy’ sound

Aim for a wide range of pitches, low to high, for both the drums and woods.

For players 1, 2, 3:
drums in measures 1-19 should be in pitch order starting with the highest pitch
woods in measures 130-147 should be in pitch order similar to the opening drum phrases
Player 4 should have the lowest drum, and Player 5 the next highest

Program Notes

Mako is titled after the short-fin mako shark and is intended to evoke the imagery of the incredibly quick, sleek, hydrodynamic nature of this oceanic apex predator. The spirit of the piece conjures elements of tribal drumming via primal, relentless driving rhythms that pass quickly between performers, coupled with a ritualistic and powerful groove. Mako was written for and dedicated to the Sympatico Percussion Group and premiered at their 2021 PASIC Showcase Concert. – Susan Powell

Errata

Ching Cymbals are left off the nomenclature page in the published version as of 2/2024.

Commercial Discography

Online Recordings

starts at 5:45

Recent Performances

Sympatico Percussion Group 1/16/24
New Percussion Literature Showcase Concert - Pasic 2023 - East Tennessee State University - 11/9/23
Performed on 4/23/24 - Emporia State University Percussion Ensemble. Albert Taylor Concert Hall
To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Cobot - Percussion Quartet
Mako - Percussion Quintet
Mosaics - Marimba
Mousse, Rinçage, Répétition - Percussion Ensemble (9)
Ornate Wobbegong - Snare Drum
The Gilded Cage - Percussion Quartet
The Mirror in the Shoe Store That You Use to Look at Your Shoes - Percussion Duo