Clarke-Bombasticus Cacophonosaurus (SP)-P

Bombasticus Cachophonosaurus was written at the request of Dr. Dave Gerhart and the California State University Long Beach Percussion Ensemble. It was intended to fill the need for an intermediate level work that incorporates a large number of players with a fairly simple instrument set-up. The work utilizes a four measure theme that is traded between players and is supported with antiphonal patterns. The B section has a thinner texture that allows the antiphonal accompaniment to become the focus. This section builds through several motives (including quotes of songs by the Beatles and the White Stripes) until the motives come together into a full statement of the "B" theme. The four measure "A" theme then returns with variations. The title is a playful name for any large ensemble of drummers.

Number of Players: 10
Difficulty: Grade 4+
Instrumentation:

Player I: 2 toms

Player II: 2 toms

Player III: Snare

Player IV: Snare

Player V: Tom

Player VI: Tom

Player VII: Tom

Player VIII: Tom

Player IX: 2 Surdos

Player X: 2 Bass Drums

Axel Clarke has been active as a performer and instructor in the Los Angeles are for 13 years. He holds BA and MA degrees in Percussion performance from California State University, Long Beach. As an educator he has been a member of the studio faculty at Long Beach State since 2001 and also directs the percussion program at the prestigious Orange County High School of the Arts. His performance and recording credits include work with the Long Beach Symphony, Long Beach Ballet, South Coast Symphony, Luis Conte, Ray Holman, Michael Spiro, CK Ladzepko, Sara Haze, Skanic, Chelsea Lena, The Kim Richmond Jazz Orchestra, The Robin Cox Ensemble, DMP, Next Exit, Coto Normal, Mehdi, and Stephen Hartke. He can also be heard in numerous multi-media exhibits in museums across the country and in documentaries for Discovery and Animal Planet. He is a member of the IronWorks Percussion Duo with fellow Long Beach State faculty member Dr. Dave Gerhart. As a composer he has studied with Dr. Bruce Miller, Dr. Martin Hermann, and Dr. Robin Cox and his works have been performed at universities and performing arts schools throughout the U.S.