On April 20, the percussion ensemble and the Flying Pans Steel Band will join in concert at Percussion Extravaganza.
The percussion ensemble will be performing songs such as “Taiko,” a Japanese taiko drumming song by Scott Harding, and Mexican marimba band music. The ensemble will also play a unique “radio” piece in which they will create music by adjusting the dials of old radios to different frequencies and volumes.
The Flying Pans will play a handful of songs, including “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite” by Karl King. The steel band will also feature two compositions written and arranged by students. The two bands will join in the final performance of the night, “Hannibal’s Revenge” by Andy Narell.
“The extravaganza is a fun concert because it showcases all aspects of percussion from mallets to hand drums to various auxiliary instruments to steel pans,” said Laura Burns, senior member of the percussion ensemble and Flying Pans. “Some pieces have a distinct melody while others challenge us rhythmically. Audience members experience musicality through dynamics, rhythmic changes and intricacies and the blending of sounds over multiple instruments.”
After the show, the audience will be welcomed on stage to attempt to play some of the instruments. The bands are under the direction of Stan Dahl, assistant professor of music. The concert will be held in Douwstra Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
