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Ouachita to host OBU Percussion Ensemble in concert Nov. 21

Ouachita to host OBU Percussion Ensemble in concert Nov. 21.November 09, 2016 - Stephanie Bell

Ouachita Baptist University will host the OBU Percussion Ensemble in concert on Monday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held in McBeth Recital Hall in Mabee Fine Arts Center, located on Ouachita’s campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

The OBU Percussion Ensemble will perform six pieces, including two pieces based on math and science and two pieces based on film and technology.

The concert will begin with “Fractalia” by Owen Conden. This piece is based on the mathematical idea of fractals, meaning that each part has the same character as the whole.

The concert will continue with Edgard Varese’s “Ionisation,” known as one of the first percussion-only pieces ever written. It dates back to 1929. The piece is based on the process in which an atom or molecule gains or loses an electron, which is musically portrayed by lengthening and shortening musical motives.

“The piece is historically significant in the history of Western music and has so many layers that we will begin with a demonstration of the different themes, ideas and instruments used in the piece,” said Dr. Ryan Lewis, director of the ensemble and associate professor of percussion.

The next piece on the program is a free improvisation piece in which there are no rules; each musician may play what they like on instruments of their choice with the goal of creating a musical moment as a whole.

“This will be a terrific experience for the performers and audience because the music we create will never be heard again, ever,” Lewis said.

The next selection, “Aybabtu” by N. Cameron Britt, was inspired by 1980s analog video game music, so much so that it includes two electronic buzzers that are used rhythmically throughout the composition. “Escape by Drew Worden is also unique because it is written for six triangles. It was composed to accompany the early experimental color film "Synchromy No. 4: Escape” by Mary Ellen Bute, which will be played on a large screen behind the live performers. The closing piece will be “Libertango by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla.

For more information on the percussion ensemble, visit www.obu.edu/percussion or contact Dr. Ryan Lewis at lewisr@obu.edu or (870) 245-5421.

 

By Stephanie Bell

November 9, 2016

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