2016 – for percussion quartet – 4:15

Sheet Music
Score (pdf)
Part 1 (pdf)
Part 2 (pdf)
Part 3 (pdf)
Part 4 (pdf)

Performances

World Premiere: March 22, 2016, Canadian Music Centre, Toronto
TorQ Percussion Quartet

Recording

Album: Project Dovetail
Date: October 22, 2021

Musician(s): TorQ Percussion Quartet (Richard Burrows, Adam Campbell, Jamie Drake, Daniel Morphy)
Producer: Frank Horvat
Location: Canterbury Music, Toronto
Label: Centrediscs

Programme Notes

Pecker is the name of the main and title character in a 1998 film by John Waters. Pecker is a Baltimore sandwich shop employee who becomes an overnight sensation when the photos he’s taken of his weird family become the latest rage in the art world. The young man is called “Pecker” because he pecks at his food like a bird.

This short and quirky composition aims to capture the innocent and happy-go-lucky character of Pecker. Pecker is curious about the world but not in an aggressive way. And meanwhile the world loves Pecker right back.

With a uniquely combined 17 different percussion instruments performed by 4 different percussionists, this composition aims to evoke Pecker in all his understated glory!

– Frank Horvat

Instrument Inventory:

Percussionist 1
2 Wood Blocks
Indonesian Toy Gamelan Metalophone (A, C#, D, E, A, C#)
Singing Bowl
Triangle

Percussionist 2
3 Cowbells
Tambourine
Indian Ankle Bells
Tiny Keyboard with Crappy Organ Sounds
Kick Drum

Percussionist 3
Wind Chimes
3 Graduated Pitch Wood Blocks
5 Pitched Bells (C, D, E, F, A)
Maracas

Percussionist 4
Log Drum
Claves
Small Bongos
Small Tam Tam