UW Percussion Ensemble to Perform Spring Concert April 6

The University of Wyoming Percussion Ensemble, directed by graduate student Brenton Ethan Church, will present audiences with electrifying melodies during its spring concert Monday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.

The concert is free and open to the public.

The program features works ranging from contemporary quartets to high-energy Brazilian samba. "The Feeling of Coming Home," by Victor La Bozzetta III, is a harmonically rich and structured piece that uses a fading metric grid to evoke the warm, colorful sensation of returning home.

Dave Hall's "Escape Velocity" is a percussion quartet -- influenced by Béla Bartók as well as "drum 'n' bass" artists such as Venetian Snares and Aphex Twin -- featuring three keyboards, djembe and multiple instruments per player.

"Karakurenai," by Andy Akiho, originally written for solo prepared steel pan as part of the "Synesthesia Suite," can be performed on any combination of instruments and encourages improvisation.

Clark Hubbard's "STARDUST," commissioned by Vanderbilt Percussion Group, is a percussion quartet blending rock, metal and classical featuring vibraphones and multi-percussionists.

Commissioned by the TCU Percussion Orchestra, Dave Hall's percussion orchestra composition "Doors" is a requiem and sonic exploration of the journey through experience and loss, illuminated by forward movement through a series of doors and rooms.

The concert concludes with the traditional piece "Samba Batucada," which brings vibrant Afro-Brazilian rhythms from Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, Brazil, to the stage.

UW Percussion Ensemble performers include: Joseph Brasher, Trystan Campbell, Zachary Caraballo, Church, Charles Cloud, Ethan Cox, Sam Gaddy, Kyle Gudger, Lee Huber, Brock Huntington, Haylie Johnson, Jonathan Krum, Morgan McAdams, Corter McCarthy, Catcher Pannell, Carson Rabou, Renato Silva, Brody Stone, Ethan Walsh and Kai Wolz.

For more information, call Church at (307) 369-6061 or email [email protected].