This lively short piece stretches a young orchestra of tuned and untuned percussion. Other instruments are possible of course - violins, flutes, electronic keyboard etc. You may have older pupils or teachers who could play the part on any of these. At some points in the score, one solo player is indicated. The instruments may include xylophones, glockenspiels, metallophones and chime bars.
Teachers are free to make their own decisions depending on resources.
It will help hold the forces together, though if your children are sufficiently confident you could easily dispense with the piano, or use it at specific points only. The piano part may of course be played on an electric keyboard. A teacher of very moderate ability may effectively join in, playing a simple chordal accompaniment. Photographs Instrumentalist during performance Pat being given instructions for shopping expedition by parents Pat meets Dog Pat offers Sparrow some potato crisps Pat is confronted by Bully-Boy Chorus of Dogs Pat and Chorus of Sparrows Pat imprisoned by Mrs Stickleback Pat Curtain call after performance Glenys Hughes Publication Details Published by Chester Music . Recordings Recordings of almost all of Peter Maxwell Davies's works, as well as talks and interviews with the composer, are available for visitors to listen to at the National Sound Archive and British Music Information Centre in London.