BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Percussion Ensemble will present a concert of rhythmic grooves from around the world as it hosts its spring concert at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Admission is free of charge.

Included in the program will a variety of grooves in different time signatures and from different genres. The concert will open with an energetic traditional hand-drumming piece from Africa featuring just three instruments: conga drums, cowbells and claves. Other pieces will range from the traditional rhythms of “One Eyed Jack” and the recognizable “Funeral March for a Marionette,” to the more eclectic “Sacrificial Rite,” which features lion roars, bowing on gongs, whisper and vocal techniques and eight deep drums in intense groove.

Presenting a solo performance will be senior Lee Foster of Menasha, Wis., on timpani in Elliott Carter’s “Canaries,” a piece of polyrhythmic ideas and metric modulation. Also appearing in a solo will be senior Doug Quance of Bertha, Minn., on marimba in Ney Rosauro’s “Concerto for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble.”

The concert will conclude with “Brazilian Samba,” to which the audience is welcome to join in a traditional dance.

The Percussion Ensemble, now in its 12th year, focuses on classic and contemporary literature. The ensemble concentrates on learning music through reading, technique, listening skills and kinetic memory.

Sundeen, BSU adjunct instructor of percussion studies, is in his sixth music season as the Percussion Ensemble director.

For more information, contact the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
April 30 – 7:30 p.m. – Percussion Ensemble concert presented by Bemidji State University. Location: Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, BSU campus. Admission: free.