Percussion Ensemble Performs Annual Fall Concert
The Alma College Percussion Ensemble presents its annual fall concert with a varied program featuring works composed by David Gillingham, Christian McBride, Bobbie Gentry and others.
The concert takes place at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.
Alma College Percussion Ensemble
David Zerbe directs the approximately 30-member student ensemble. The award-winning group most recently performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend.
The concert features the Chamber Ensemble and the World Music, Jazz and Steel Drum Ensemble performing a broad range of music highlighting drums, marimbas, xylophones, bongos, congas, timpani and other less-traditional percussion instruments.
The first half of the program includes “Opus Zero” by Stephen Martin, “Paschal Dances” by Central Michigan University composer David Gillingham, and “Kalabash” by Nigel Westlake. In “Kalabash,” two marimbas and a selection of splash cymbals and log drums are shared among four players in a piece representative of the traditional music of West Africa.
The second half will feature arrangements of “In a Hurry” by Christian McBride, “Descarga Canelon” by Steve Khan, “Speedball” by Lee Morgan, “Ode to Billy Joe” by Bobbie Gentry, and “Kiss My Axe” by jazz guitarist Al Di Meola.
“Ode to Billy Joe,” originally recorded in 1967, was a No. 1 hit and is ranked #412 on Rolling Stone’s list of “the 500 greatest songs.” It led to eight Grammy nominations.
Posted: Sun, November 29th, 2009 at 8:18AM
