Posting Date: March 26, 2009
Kennesaw State University Percussion Ensemble: A fine tune
By Gina Gareri-Watkins
 |
The Percussion Ensemble provides KSU percussion students the opportunity to perform repertoire written chiefly for percussion instruments. This concert will highlight a variety of traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments and world rhythms, with more than 100 percussion instruments featured on the concert stage as well as several student solos during the evening’s program.
The Percussion Ensemble will perform “Samba” by Brazilian composer and percussionist Ney Rosauro in a repertoire that uses traditional Samba percussion to explore the popular Latin American rhythm. “It’s a fun piece,” says John Lawless, instructor of percussion studies, “as there are all kinds of Samba instruments written throughout the piece.”
Student Jefferson Doyle will perform a xylophone solo during the second piece on the program, “The Ragtime Robin” by the classic 1920s composer George Hamilton Green. “Rhythm Song” by Paul Smadbeck will follow and features student Jordan Lowery on a Marimba solo.
In addition, the Percussion Ensemble will perform “jh Variations,” a composition by Rich O'Meara. Originally commissioned for the Lamont School of Music Percussion Ensemble at the University of Denver, this piece premiered in May 2006. The concert will also include “Concerto for Timpani and Percussion Ensemble” by Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame member John Beck. The piece will feature student Zachary Poore as a solo performer on the timpani.
Last on the program will be “Stained Glass” by award-winning composer David Gillingham. “Stained Glass” is a performance piece that is highly recommended by Lawless. “'Stained Glass' is literally inspired by the elements of stained glass,” explains Lawless. “There are three movements that explore the stained glass in cathedrals through musical elements. The first movement is ‘Doorways,’ the second is ‘Church,' and the third is ‘Sun Catchers,’ the stained glass itself. It’s a really cool piece, as there are so many fun instruments. We use bells and even water-tuned glasses and instruments we actually dip in water to achieve a different pitch.”
The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.kennesaw.edu/arts or contact the box office at 770-423-6650.