Percussion Ensemble Concert

3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, Reynolds Recital Hall

Free and open to the public

The NMU Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. James A.

Strain, will present its annual Spring Concert in Reynolds Recital Hall on Saturday, April 3, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. The concert will be a whirlwind tour of various popular musical styles from around the world. Opening the concert will be several selections from early twentieth century American popular music, such as ragtime and jazz.

Following this, the ensemble will present historic rudimental drumming selections which originated in England prior to America's independence. The final two selections will highlight the music of Africa, with an Amadinda xylophone improvisation, and the music of Trinidad and Tobago, with a soca. Soca music combines the calypso style with cadence music from the French Antilles. The sound of specific percussion instruments, such as the xylophone, vibraphone (or "vibes") and various types of drums are specifically associated with many popular music styles, such as military march music, ragtime, jazz, and music with African origins.