Percussion Ensemble to present fall concert Nov. 9

Northwest Missouri State University’s Percussion Ensemble will present a fall concert this month, highlighting the versatility of the marimba and other unique instruments.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. It is free and open to the public.

The Percussion Ensemble will perform works, including Steven Wulff’s “Taiko a la Tom Tom,” John Cage’s “Third Construction,” Eric Whitacre’s “Sleep,” Sir Edward Elgar’s “Nimrod,” Rüdiger Pawassar’s “Sculpture” and Austin Keck’s “Perenniality.”

Two first-year students also will perform marimba solos. Kylee Watson, an instrumental music education major from Cameron, Missouri, will perform “Sevilla,” composed by Isaac Albeniz and arranged for percussion by Christopher Whyte, which will be conducted by Kaden Jones, a senior instrumental music education major from Bethany, Missouri. KyAnn Langdon, an instrumental music education major from Harrisburg, Missouri, will perform Brian Nozny’s “Numerology.”

Dr. Erin Duke, who joined Northwest this fall as associate director of bands and director of percussion, is the new director of the Percussion Ensemble.

“The students have worked so diligently to share this program with their community, and I couldn't be more proud,” Duke said. “The studio is primarily freshmen this year, and they've certainly met expectations. We're excited to play for the Northwest community.”

For more information about musical ensembles at Northwest and upcoming events, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/music/.