Scherzissimo (Percussion Quintet)

Scherzissimo combines contemporary percussion ideas with classical chamber music sensibilities to create an exciting challenge for a skilled percussion quintet. Each player must maintain a highly musical touch while navigating technical keyboard playing as well as complex drumming.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 5
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 5:20

Instrumentation
Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)
Player 1: Glockenspiel, Bongos, Splash Cymbal
Player 2: Xylophone, 4 Concert Toms (shared with P3), Sizzle Cymbal (shared with P3)
Player 3: Marimba 1 (5-octave shared with P4), Large Suspended Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Snare Drum, 4 Concert Toms (shared with P2)
Player 4: Marimba 2 (5-octave shared with P3), China Cymbal, Multi-Bass Drum, Medium Suspended Cymbal (shared with P5)
Player 5: Vibraphone, 2 Congas, Medium Suspended Cymbal (shared with P4), Triangle, Tambourine

Program Notes
Scherzissimo was intended to pay homage to the role of a scherzo in Classical and Romantic chamber music. While it mostly stays true to the lighthearted and playful nature of a traditional scherzo, as a modern percussion piece it also adds a level of bombast and extra energy to earn the “-issimo” in the title. All players will have to navigate fast, technical keyboard playing along with complex rhythmic alignment of non-pitched percussion instruments, all while maintaining a keen sense of balance among the ensemble. It was composed for and premiered by the Choctaw senior percussion class of 2025.