Creepy Little Wiggly Things

Gilroy takes advantage of this opportunity to expose terrific mallet players along with an assortment of percussive colors that are meant to explore sounds that might be associated with creepy little wiggly things. A challenge for your talented percussionists and a treat for your discerning audiences.

Program Notes

Creepy Little Wiggly Things was composed for South Pointe Middle School’s Percussion Program in Walnut, California. The Director of Bands at South Pointe Middle School is Mr. Steve Acciani and the Percussion Director is Mr. Ray Llewellyn. The band program at South Pointe Middle School is easily one of the largest in the state of California. As a result, the number of percussionists in this program is also very high. Mr. Acciani commissioned Gary P. Gilroy to compose a work specifically for Percussion Ensemble that would challenge his most talented percussionists, many of whom have been members of the California Band Directors Association Junior High School All State Honor Band. It was requested that the work would be written for a large number of percussionists requiring a variety of instruments both common and a little more unique.

Gilroy took advantage of this opportunity to expose terrific mallet players along with an assortment of percussive colors that are meant to explore sounds that might be associated with creepy little wiggly things. The flexatone used by both the Chimes player and Percussion Five will help establish an eerie feeling throughout the work. Other fun sounds include the Water Gong, Vibraslap, and the Whip! Performing groups should be sure to use a large whip made from two pieces of wood (30”x5”x.75”) hinged together at one end.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2007
Number of Players: 13
Duration: 5:15
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Percussion

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Instrumentation

Timpani
Bells
Xylophone 1 (share with Xylo 2)
Xylophone 2 (share with Xylo 1)
Vibraphone (3-octave)
Marimba 1 (4-octave)
Marimba 2 (5-octave)
Chimes
Percussion 1 (Bongos, Congas, Small Egg Shaker, Cymbal upside down on Timpano, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (Cabasa, Claves, Chinese Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Sleigh Bells, Water Gong)
Percussion 3 (Bass Drum, Cowbell, Hi-Hat, Temple Blocks)
Percussion 4 (Bamboo Wind Chimes, Gong, Suspended Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, Metal Wind Chimes)
Percussion 5 (Gong, Flexatone, Floor Tom, Whip, Vibraslap)