Central College will host Iowa Days of Percussion on March 29-30 in Douwstra Auditorium. It is an annual minifestival sponsored by the Iowa chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
The event brings together the best percussion ensembles across the state, giving them a chance to showcase their skills and get feedback on performances.
The first day will include performances by junior high and high school ensembles, as well as a high school solo marimba competition. It will end with an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
The second day focuses on performances by college and university ensembles, including an evening concert by Mass Steel Band that includes Flying Pans Steel Band and the University of Iowa Panamerica Steel Band.
Also performing will be Tropical Steel out of Des Moines, as well as performances both days by the Central College percussion ensemble and Central College Dutch Boom drum line.
Each day also includes instruction from four guest artists:
- Julia Gains, director of the School of Music at the University of Missouri, will present a marimba clinic each day and give a showcase concert the first night.
- Andy Smith, a musician, composer and educator at the University of Texas-El Paso, will give drum set clinics both days in Brazilian and Latin styles.
- Emory Dease, a 2007 graduate of Central and now district director of percussion at Seaman Schools in Topeka, Kansas, will lead Vibraphone and conga clinics.
- Tom Miller, percussion director at the University of Denver, will give steel drum clinics both days.
For more information, contact Senior Lecturer of Music Stan Dahl at dahls@central.edu.