Ouachita brass and percussion ensembles to perform Oct. 31
October 24, 2011 - Jordan Campbell
Ouachita Baptist University’s brass and percussion ensembles will present a concert
Monday, Oct 31, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The free concert is open to the
public and will feature the Percussion Ensemble directed by Ryan Lewis, Trumpet Ensemble
directed by Craig Hamilton, Horn Ensemble directed by Heather Thayer and Low Brass
Ensemble directed by Justin Isenhour.
“Brass and percussion instruments have a long historical and musical relationship
with one another, which is why the groups are paired together in this performance,”
said Lewis, assistant professor of music. “Each ensemble will play a few pieces, typically
in a staggered order which makes for an eclectic and enjoyable concert experience.”
The Low Brass Ensemble will perform a piece titled “Song for Japan” by Steven Verheist.
The piece was written after the devastating tsunami that hit Japan earlier this year.
“Our public attention span for events like this is so brief that I thought it would
be prudent to bring it back up in our concert,” said Isenhour, instructor of music.
“Plus, I think the piece is just beautiful writing.”
The Percussion Ensemble will perform a piece titled “Log Cabin Blues” by George Hamilton
Green. The piece features a ragtime xylophone solo and a marimba quartet with Chris
Hogan, a freshman music education major from Bartlesville, Okla., as a soloist.
“The ensemble will also present ‘World Beat Sonata’ by Robert Damm, which combines
world, classical and found instruments such as log drums, timpani and saw blade with
world beat rhythms and classical sonata form, an interesting juxtaposition of instruments
and styles,” Lewis said. “The ensemble will also play a STOMP-inspired piece for five-gallon buckets by Julie Davila called ‘Recycled.’ All three
of these pieces are not conducted, which gives the students the opportunity to learn
how to perform and communicate visually and musically with one another.”
The Trumpet Ensemble will present “Suite for Three Trumpets” by William Presser and
“Pavane and Canzonetta” by Leroy Ostransky.
Students have been preparing for the concert by rehearsing weekly since August. Since
many of the pieces on the program are not conducted, students have taken time out
to schedule practices without their professors to prepare for the performance. Lewis
noted that this gives the students an opportunity to experience working as a team
in preparing chamber music both with and without a coach.
“Non-music majors should come to all concerts to experience the variety of music.
This concert will contain a plethora of interesting works,” Isenhour added. “It is
always a joy to share something that you've worked on with others.”
For more information, contact OBU’s School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.
By Jordan Campbell
You Also Might Like
Recent