Drums Along the Juniata: Percussion Concert Set
(Posted November 22, 2016)
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HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Percussion Ensemble will perform more rhythmic magic at the group’s fall concert at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts on the Juniata campus.
Tickets are $5 for adults and free for those under age 18, or Juniata students with valid ID. The percussion ensemble is directed by James Latten, professor of music at Juniata.
The concert opens with the full ensemble playing “A La Nanigo,” by Mitchell Peters. The song is a Latin-based composition that features cowbells. Peters is the former principal percussionist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Next, the group will play “Two Gentleman from Virginia,” by percussion composer Murray Houllif. Composer Houllif based the work on Confederate general Robert E. Lee and Gen. George Washington.
The mood of the concert will lighten with the introduction of Steely Pan and the PVCs Pipe Ensemble. This group plays percussion numbers on plumbing pipes of varying lengths and thicknesses.
The group will play “Cantina Band,” by John Williams, from the film “Star Wars;” “Cha Cha Sandwich,” arranged by Phil Hawkins; “Day-O,” made famous by Harry Belafonte; “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Song,” by Alan Silvestri; “Ho’omalu,” by Mac Duff; “Limbo,” arranged by David Beery; “Super Mario Brothers Theme,” arranged by Koji Konda; and “Reggae for Dinner,” by Phil Hawkins.
The World Percussion Lab will then perform a demonstration of Afro-Cuban music and Brazilian percussion techniques..
The entire Percussion Ensemble returns with “Drums of Fire,” by Murray Houllif, followed by the Keyboard Percussion Choir (featuring players on xylophone, marimba and vibraphone). The keyboard players will perform “Myshe,” by Larry Theades, and “Yobel,” by Jesse Ayers, winner of the 2011 American Prize for Orchestral Composition.
The final selection of the evening is “A La Samba,” by Mitchell Peters, a highly energetic work for six percussionists.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.