On Saturday, November 2, UND Music hosted their Percussion Day at the Memorial Union. The event began early in the morning with registration at 9:30 a.m. and ran until around 5 p.m. when it concluded with a guest artist concert. This event was open to the public and encouraged high school students from the surrounding area to come together to learn about music at UND and experience a day filled with percussion related events, including various clinics and performances led by special guests and the members of the UND percussion ensembles.
The first event, a mallet clinic led by percussionist Dr. Kevin Bobo, began after registration at 10 a.m. Dr. Bobo is a professor of percussion at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and his compositions, performances, and teaching have allowed him to travel internationally and become a highly respected percussionist.
The next event began at 11a.m. and was a Brazilian clinic led by local musician, Brian Rydell. Rydell is known in the Grand Forks community as a percussionist, and he found his passion for Brazilian music during his time in higher education. It was after this that he was able to spend some time living in Brazil, which only further enhanced his knowledge in the subject.
After a lunch break, UND’s own Dr. Jason Kihle led a drumline clinic at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Kihle is the current Director of Percussion Studies at UND, but before this, he made a name for himself through performing and presenting at various music conferences and his works have been published through various music publications.
Naturally, the drumline clinic was followed by a mass drumline experience at 2:30 p.m. for percussionists of various levels of experience and all different kinds of drums. UND students, high school students, community members, and guest artists all came together to create one work of music.
The event came to an end with a final guest artist concert at 4 p.m. This concert featured the musicians of UND Percussion Ensemble and guest artist Dr. Bobo on marimba. The first half of the performance showcased the music of the Percussion Ensemble. They began with a piece called “Fandango 13” by Michael Burritt. This piece was followed by Paul Bissell’s “Equal Fire.” Their final piece was the world premiere of “The Edge of Resurrection” written by Director of Percussion Studies Dr. Kihle. After a short intermission, Dr. Bobo performed Gordon Stout’s “Four Episodes for Solo Marimba.” He concluded the performance with a thirteen-minute-long original piece he wrote for a wedding called “The Marriage of the Lamb.”
Overall, this year’s Percussion Day showcased the abilities of current UND music and percussion students while inspiring potential incoming students through various shared activities and performances. Along with this, both incoming and current students got to experience different forms of percussion music while connecting with and learning from individuals who are considered experts in their field.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
