Two truckloads of percussion instruments will fill Fulks Theatre Monday for a percussion ensemble concert.
Dr. Allen Teel and 17 percussion students will perform.
The ensemble, which began in 1986, consists of students ranging from freshmen through sophomores who will play a variety of instruments throughout the performance. The concert consists of pieces performed by duets, trios, quartets and a finale by the entire ensemble.
“There is not only a variety in the number of players,” said Teel, “but also in the styles you will hear.”
The ensemble will perform pieces under many different styles including flamenco, Haitian and African drumming and also steel drums. The program will also include two pieces arranged by students in the ensemble.
Patrick Cason, sophomore music education major from Gordon, arranged a piece by Robert Kreutz for a marimba quartet and Austin Lemmons, freshman music education major from Abilene, rearranged a piece by duo Rodrigo y Gabriella for marimba quartet and cajon.
“I noticed the song and I thought it would translate really well to marimba,” Lemmons said. “I mentioned it to Dr. Teel and he thought it would be really cool. Just listening to something you’ve written come alive and be played by other people is a really rewarding experience.”
Lemmons will also be involved in a duo that plays a multi-percussion piece. During the course of the song he will play timpani, cowbell, two cymbals and also a gong.
“The rhythms in this piece are just incredibly difficult,” said Lemmons, “but after rehearsing it for so long and hearing it come together correctly it is just so cool.”
Along with the variety of musical styles, Teel said the ensemble can also boast one of the most diverse audiences on campus.
“I know people in their 80’s who haven’t missed a concert in 15 years,” Teel said. “We also have a good mix of college age students.”
Audience members both young and old, new and existing can hear the ensemble’s performance on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are free.
“The concert is great exposure to some musical styles that most people haven’t heard before,” said Teel. “But everybody leaves having heard something that really appealed to them.”