Percussion ensemble performs largest concert

The UNC Percussion Ensemble will provide more rhythm today than it ever has since its beginning in the 1970s.

The group will play seven compositions at its concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Hill Hall.

Each piece will emphasize both drum and mallet instruments and give audience members a wide range of samples from the percussion world.

""Every show is different"" said Lynn Glassock, the ensemble's conductor. This one has a lot of variety.""

The performance will feature a range of sounds"" from an arrangement called ""The Bells"" by William Byrd" which features mainly mallet instruments" to Brett Dietz's ""Sharpened Stick" which Glassock described as an aggressive drumming piece.

One non-percussive performance even found its way into the lineup: Percussion student Maressa McCall will play the clarinet.

It's really cool to highlight everyone's different talents from a clarinet concerto to melodic and percussive pieces" said Mark Cashin, a graduate student who played in the ensemble as an undergraduate and tonight will act as a guest conductor.

This will be the first time Cashin has conducted a concert for the ensemble.

It's really different now being the conductor instead of just being the performer" Cashin said. It gives a little insight into what you have to go through in preparing pieces" and you begin to understand every individual performer's role on the piece instead of just your own.""

Along with performing the most pieces ever"" Cashin said the group will have the largest number of participants at 19.

""Seeing the most music performed at this concert than any other concert beforehand is a real treat" Cashin said.

Glassock started the percussion ensemble more than three decades ago and has witnessed its growth.

I think our first (ensemble) had something like six members" Glassock said.

He said the percussion ensemble now averages about 15 members per semester.

Overall, Cashin said he believes the performance will show the audience how percussion can be soloistic" in that it can stand alone from the traditional orchestra.

I think it's a really good Thursday night out to hear music that you would not typically hear if you went to a band concert or an orchestra concert" he said.

It will change the perspectives people may have about percussion.""



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