Contact: Sammy McDavid
The beat goes on and on Monday [April 5] when Mississippi State's Percussion Ensemble performs at the university's McComas Hall theater.
The group's free 7:30 p.m. concert is directed by Robert J. "Bob" Damm, an associate professor in the sponsoring music education department.
Selections will include "Mozambique," featuring African drums; "WorldBeat Sonata" for traditional African, Western and "found" urban instruments; and "Fanfare for Tambourines."
Damm's faculty colleague, assistant professor Rose Sebba, will be featured on piano for an arrangement of Chopin's "Prelude in E minor." Also, members of Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority will join the ensemble for "Sowu," a ceremonial dance piece of Ghana's Ewe people.
Other numbers by the eight-person ensemble include J.S. Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto #2"; "Fred No Frevo," a selection of Brazilian carnival dance music; "Boom, Whackers & Tube Smackers," a free-style improvisation with plastic and PVC tubing; and "Double Dribble," a composition for--what else?--basketball.
"Diners Club," a novelty piece set in--where else?--a restaurant, concludes the program.
Percussion Ensemble members include: (by hometown)
CALEDONIA--Senior music education major Kristy Guadagno.
GERMANTOWN, Tenn.--Senior biochemistry major Erin Bassford.
GOOSE CREEK, S.C.--Senior music education major Alyssa Murphy.
NEW SITE--Senior music education major Brad Holley.
RALEIGH--Junior music education major Wayne Davis.
RICHLAND--Senior business information systems major Adam Dear.
STARKVILLE--Sophomore music education major James Nail.
WEST POINT--Freshman music education major Josh Funderburg.
For more information on the concert, telephone (662) 325-3070.