On Nov. 14, the Percussion Ensemble took the stage for their final concert of the semester. This concert featured “Lancer Steel” and the Concert Ensemble class. Director Chris Thomas introduced the group and noted a change in the performance for the evening. This change involved senior Spencer Smith taking
the place of David Garrett who was injured and unable to play. Thomas also noted that Smith “had only one run through with the music today,” but seemed pleased with the outcome of that run through.
Next, the members of the ensemble came on stage and took their place at their respected instruments. Without wasting a second, the group dove into their repertoire with the upbeat song “Hot, Hot, Hot.” The sound resonated through the auditorium and this song set the tone for the rest of the music that evening.
Following this piece came “Jump In Da Line,” which had the audience all tapping their feet and moving their head to the beat. It was very tempting to start singing the songs even though there were parts in this piece where the performers sang parts in unison almost as if they were encouraging us to sing.
Almost all of the selections for the evening were songs well known and the concert featured a variety of genres with a little something for everyone to enjoy. The next few selections featured were Bob Marley’s “One Love,” David Rudder’s “The Hammer” and a favorite among all Disney songs, “Under the Sea.” The performances of these songs were terrific and it was neat to see how percussion instruments could create the melodies of songs that normally other instruments do and still sound the same.
As the concert started to wind down, the group performed “Christmas Time Is Here” to help put everyone in the upcoming holiday spirit. Both this piece and the next piece, “Spirits In The Material World,” were arranged by Thomas in a way that worked best for the instruments they were performing with.
Following these two selections came a short pause in the performance to provide time to rearrange the stage and a music remix was provided on keyboard by performer Molly Schranck. Next came the final selection of the evening as all of the performers took the stage under the direction of Thomas to perform “Reggaelia.” Thomas took a moment before the piece to acknowledge that all but one of the performers on pan were playing a new pan or pan for the first time, which the audience would have never noticed.
This performance was a great way to start the weekend, and even though it was a cold evening, there was a great turnout of family, friends and students. The next performance by the Music Department will be on Nov. 24 as the University Choirs perform in Jarman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.. Following that performance will be a Senior Recital by Michael Harper on Dec. 1, and the Camerata Singers will be singing carols on Dec. 5. These performances are a great way to relax before studying for finals so come out and enjoy what they have to offer.
In the above pictures, percussion students demonstrate their immense talents on various types of percussion instruments. Some students were even playing new instruments for the first time during this performance, although the way they controlled these instruments, you would have never known.
In the above pictures, percussion students demonstrate their immense talents on various types of percussion instruments. Some students were even playing new instruments for the first time during this performance, although the way they controlled these instruments, you would have never known.
