Arts and Entertainment

Mallet, percussion ensembles to present final concerts of fall semester Nov. 30

Credit: Annemarie Mountz / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Mallet Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble I will present their final concerts of the fall 2016 semester at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Esber Recital Hall at University Park. The eclectic program ranges from compositions by classical period composer Ludwig van Beethoven to Gene Koshinski's "The Electric City," written in 2008.

Soloists include junior music education major Christian Lopez, sophomore double major Gage Kroljic, Golumbic Scholarship winner Kyle McKay, music technology freshman Brenton Nicholas, and graduate teaching assistant in percussion Stephen Fleming. The ensembles are directed by percussion faculty member Dan C. Armstrong.

Admission is free. This concert will also be available via livestream video on the Penn State School of Music website.

Program

Mallet Ensemble

  • Czardas — Vittorio Monti, arranged by Stephen Primatic (Christian Lopez, xylophone soloist)
  • Scherzo — Alexander Borodin, arranged by Dan C. Armstrong
  • Steppin’ ‘Round — Al “Rags” Anderson, arranged by Cort McClaren (Gage Kroljic, xylophone soloist)
  • Fra Fra Song and Nite Song (from “Gyil Music Song Collection No. 2”) — Valerie Dee Naranjo (Kyle McKay, marimba; Christian Lopez, cajon)
  • Spanesque Oscillations — Steve Rile

Percussion Ensemble I

  • Eight on 3 and Nine on 2 — Robert Marino (Brenton Nicholas and Gage Kroljic, multiple percussion)
  • The Metronome — Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Ruth Jeanne
  • Lucky Seven — Matthew Hindson
  • The Electric City (2008) — Gene Koshinski
  • Celebration (from “Jubilee Concerto”) — David Mancini (Stephen Fleming, timpani soloist)

The Mallet Ensemble performs music either written for or arranged for mallet-played keyboard percussion instruments and consists of three to eight players. Literature ranges from transcribed orchestral and chamber music to contemporary compositions written specifically for mallet ensemble. Enrollment is by audition with the conductor.

Percussion Ensembles I and II perform a variety of music written for four to 12 players, including contemporary music written for percussion as well as arrangements. Instrumentation includes all types of percussion, from familiar drums and cymbals to exotic items from around the world. Through participation, students learn the art of ensemble performing and augment their understanding of the role of percussion within the discipline of music. They also learn the skills of organization and cooperation through rehearsal and performance. The ensembles have appeared frequently at meetings of the Music Educators National Conference and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Enrollment is by audition with the conductor.

 

Last Updated November 22, 2016