Gottry-Clouds Make Songa Away (SP)-B/C/X/2M/3T/P HONEYROCK EDITION

This title scored for 8-13 (or more) players, was designed to be a flexible composition for junior high programs that desire to introduce students to percussion ensemble. This piece can be performed by players with a wide range of skill levels and utilizes instruments commonly found in junior high band rooms. Clouds Make Songo Away would also make a great addition to concerts by more experienced ensembles that need to quickly put together audience-friendly or "pop" style programs.


Number of Players: 8-13
Difficulty: Grade 3
Instrumentation:

Player I: Bells

Player II: Chimes

Player III: Xylophone

Player IV: Marimba 1 (sub xylophone)

Player V: Marimba 2

Player VI: 3 Timpani

Player VII: Agogo Bells (sub cowbell)

Player VIII: Hi-Hat (sub cabasa)

Player IX: 5 Temple Blocks

Player X: 2 Bongos (sub congas)

Player XI: Snare Drum 1

Player XII: Snare Drum 2

Player XIII: Bass Drum (sub floor tom-tom)

*Chimes, Xylophone or Marimba 1, Marimba 2, Temple Blocks and Snare Drum may be omitted if players are limited

**Marimba parts may be played on one instrument




Josh Gottry's (b. 1974) first composition, Irrelevant for solo marimba, earned him an ASCAP Young Composer Competition grant in 1995. Since that time, he has been selected for seven ASCAP Plus awards and has created over thirty published works that have been performed extensively at universities, junior high and high schools, and multiple national conferences. Mr. Gottry earned his BM in Percussion Performance at Northern Arizona University and his MM in Composition at Arizona State University. He is currently an adjunct professor of music at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, teaching percussion and composition as well as courses in music history and theory. Additionally, he maintains a private percussion studio and performs regularly throughout Arizona as a soloist and participant in various local ensembles.

Mr. Gottry is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers (ASCAP). He is a clinician for Mike Balter Mallets, Pro-Mark Sticks, and Yamaha Percussion. Mr. Gottry served six terms as the Vice President for the Arizona State Chapter of PAS and is currently a member of the PAS Education and Composition Committees. He has been published several times in Percussive Notes and presented a keyboard percussion clinic at PASIC 2007.