Fascinating Rhythms was commissioned in 2002 by the Sussex Symphony orchestra with funding from American Express and the Macdonald’s foundation. It was first performed in Hove Town Hall in March 2003. It should ideally be performed with narrated text and four groups of children playing percussion instruments, who will have rehearsed beforehand in workshops. The children’s percussion groups may include classroom instruments and homemade ones. The conductor and players perform the score in conjunction with a cue sheet, which sets out a series of excerpts to be played with the narration and their manner of performance before the piece is played complete. However, the piece may also be performed with or without the children’s percussion as a straight concert overture. In both versions, Harp and Contra bassoon are ad lib. The Bass Clarinet may also be omitted, provided that a Harp is included. Although the use of the above-named instruments is optional, their employment is highly desirable!