By Kelsey Rogers, Assistant Living and Arts Editor
The Susquehanna University Percussion Ensemble will perform in Stretansky Concert Hall on April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
The ensemble, directed by Gregory Alico, adjunct faculty music, will feature pieces from multiple genres, including classical and jazz.
First-year Milo Brooking, who is a member of the ensemble, said that the experience has been educational for him.
“The pieces we’ve done have been unlike any pieces I did in high school or other programs,” Brooking said. “Many of them are very modern, with changing beats and often no beat at all.”
Brooking also said the audience can expect a variety of genres from the ensemble.
“The set list definitely skews modern, but there are some great mallet pieces with jazz influence and a couple of more classical pieces,” Brooking said.
The pieces that will be performed are “Declarative Stances,” “An Indian Story,” “Gainsborough,” “Head Talk,” “Graceful Ghost,” “Ripeness,” “Guatemalan Folk Song” and “Cymbalectomy.”
“Declarative Stances,” written by Kansas percussionist Steve Riley, is a piece written for eight different instruments such as the xylophone, castanets, chimes and bongos.
“Indian Summer,” written by Ukrainian American composer George Perlman in 1938, tells the story of Indian warriors dancing in the sky. Their war paint eventually rubs off, causing the change of colors in the sky.
“Gainsborough” is a popular percussion piece that has been played all over the world. Written by Illinois musician Thomas Gauger, the piece features three different movements, consisting of marimbas, bells and a jazzy expression.
“Graceful Ghost” was originally written for piano by American composer William Bolcom and arranged for percussionists by Colorado musician Terry Smith. This piece takes a spin on ragtime and turns it into a more gentle tune, rather than the typical upbeat style.
“Ripeness,” written by percussionist Phillip Long, uses a tetrachord “to the point of annoyance” according to sheet music company C. Alan Publications. Other instruments that can be heard in the piece are bongos, cymbals and cowbells.
“Guatemalan Folk Song” has percussion elements that have a gentle sound with Latin-American roots. Arranged by Texas composer Emily Crocker, it tells the story of a parrot falling in love with a parakeet.
“Cymbalectomy,” written by American percussionist Chris Crockarell, is an all-cymbal piece featuring six members.
Members of the ensemble performing in the concert are Gus Black, Jacob Bodinger, Milo Brooking, Mike Kaminski, Will Meriney, Krystina Rodkey, Hayden Stacki and Carissa Sweet.
Admission to the concert is free to all students and members of the public.
