Nov. 14, 2019

The Northern Arizona University School of Music will present the NAU Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Steve Hemphill, in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 in Ardrey Memorial Auditorium,

The NAU ensemble will feature master percussionist Dong-Won Kim, who is a member of the famed Silk Road Ensemble, the group led by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Kim will demonstrate Korean shamanic rhythms on the janggo, a large, horizontal, hourglass-shaped drum.

The concert will open with Lynn Glassock’s “Dragoon” and feature four marimbas and multiple drums. Along with Glassock, the concert will highlight two works by the celebrated American composer Steve Reich. The first work is the 1973 minimalist quintet “Music for Pieces of Wood,” and the second Reich composition is “Drumming (Part I),” comprised of four sets of bongos borrowing various rhythmic intricacies from Ghana.

Later, Ben Wahlund’s “Pegasus” will showcase student percussionist Oscar Casas in a sophisticated rhythmic tapestry for solo snare drum accompanied by marimba, vibraphone and percussion.

The concert will conclude with Michael Burritt’s “Fandango 13,” performed with a variety of percussion instruments.

Tickets for the Percussion Ensemble Concert can be purchased through the Central Ticketing Office. Admission will be $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens or NAU staff and faculty and free for students and children 17 or younger. For more information contact the School of Music at (928) 523-3731.