Spring Percussion Concert at Utah State University

Percussion players at Utah State University are featured in concert Monday, March 31. Members of the USU Percussion Ensemble and the Caine Percussion Ensemble perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center. The concert is under the direction of music department faculty member Dennis Griffin.

Admission is $5 at the door. USU students with current activity cards are admitted free.

 

“Percussion concerts at USU have always had something to please nearly everyone,” Griffin said. “If you have eclectic tastes, so much the better.”

 

A survey of concert selections includes Marimba Spiritual, a virtuoso piece for solo marimba and Japanese style drums. The work features Tyler Whitesides, breaking all speed constraints as marimba soloist, Griffin said.

 

Several selections fit the bill for those who love traditional classics, Griffin said. Arrangements of The Song to the Moon from the opera Russalka by Dvorak and Waltz from the Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky will be presented.

 

Popular fare is represented by Techno-Pop by Nathan Daughtrey and Bonham by Christopher Rouse. Bonham is based on the stylings of rock drummer John Bonham of the group Led Zeppelin.

 

“While the drum kit player is at the heart of the group, the piece is like a giant drum kit with all eight players each making their own bombastic statement and then playing together in an overwhelming explosion of sounds,” Griffin said.

 

Rounding out the program are pieces composed specifically to show the versatility and sounds of the modern percussion orchestra — works by prize-winning composer Lynn Glassock and Daughtrey.

 

“This concert should provide a fun evening for the whole family,” Griffin said.

 

Young percussionists are especially encouraged to attend.

 

Contact: Dennis Griffin (435) 797-3008
Source: Music Department