The annual Fall Percussion Ensemble Concert, to be held Friday, Oct. 9, at the WVU Creative Arts Center, will focus on the influence percussion has had on rock-and-roll.

“The program will combine a very high level of drumming along with the right amount of electronic equipment,” said percussion program director George Willis. “The WVU Division of Theatre and Dance is providing a light show and music will include Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, The Beatles, Dream Theater and more.”

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. Some of the pieces to be performed will include:

  • “Overture 1929” by Dream Theater, one of the leading rock bands performing cutting edge music by outstanding musicians. According to Willis, this piece will begin the 2009 Percussion Concert with energy and drive not often seen from a classical ensemble.
  • “Money” by Pink Floyd, a group well-known by all rock fans. This song from their recording “The Dark Side of the Moon” is considered one of the group’s best works. The WVU Percussion Ensemble has arranged this work in a unique percussion setting that everyone will enjoy.
  • “The Black Page” by Frank Zappa is an exotic drum solo that has become a percussion ensemble cult classic. “The piece bridges contemporary drumset technique with the large percussion ensemble rock anthem,” Willis said. “The piece is challenging for the artist and audience alike.”
  • “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles is another known by all rock music fans. “A rock-and-roll tribute would not be complete with out at least one song by The Beatles,” Willis said. ”’Eleanor Rigby’ is a beautiful song that will be accompanied by a keyboard percussion ensemble.” Willis said he will lead this work and incorporate a vibraphone solo as part of the arrangement.
  • “Bonham” by Christopher Rouse, one of today’s leading composers, will feature senior performance majors and junior music education majors as soloists. This piece was made popular by Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham, who is considered one of the leading rock drummers of the 1970s. According to Willis, the work also features a solo drum set part that will be combined with a large percussion ensemble embellishing the rhythmic motives.

Tickets for the Percussion Ensemble Concert are available at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center Box Offices or by calling 304-293-SHOW.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4841 ext. 3108, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

College of Creative Arts on the Web – http://www.ccarts.wvu.edu/
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