Friends and Families made their way into Phleeger auditorium in honor of Rowan University’s Percussion Ensemble held by Rowan’s College of the Arts on Monday, Feb. 16th at 7:30 pm.
They began with a piece called Log Cabin Blues by George Hamilton Green, arranged by Bob Becker. The piece featured five percussionists playing xylophones, accompanied by a solo from sophomore Jake Valentino. Freshman psychology student Jennely Aquino stated that the piece was her “favorite” of the night.
“We actually got Log Cabin last semester before we went off to break, and I remember Jake was telling me dude was gonna play that song, and I was like, I don’t know if I want to play it. He’s like, you’re gonna play it … We practiced it like two times before we left, and I was like I have to learn the song,” said Jennely Aquino.
The ensemble continued with six pieces in total, all ranging from “Water Mario Medley” by Koji Kondo, arranged by student Chris O’Mahoney, to “Appreciation,” featuring Professor William Wozniak as a soloist on timpani.
The music wasn’t just on stage as it was played around the auditorium throughout the show, allowing for a full surround sound of music, placing the audience in the pieces. It told a story through the different instruments, such as a shopping card filled with tins, including a muffin tin, and many different lighting elements that truly allowed the stories to come alive to the audience.
“There are many places in the world that have these traditions of having all drumming groups, and in the classical world, the percussion ensemble is that group, but just right now carnival is ongoing in Brazil, and you’ll see groups of 300 people parading, playing drums,” said Dr. Fabio Oliveira, seven-year director of percussion studies.
Fabio played his own solo piece, “Prelude no. 1” by Ney Rosauro, which he described as his favorite piece as a child.
Part of the ensemble is bringing together everyone from faculty to student composers and even audience members who are trying something new.
“I saw it on Prof link … it was an interesting thing to go to, and it was free, it was something I had to do,” said freshman Josiah Morales, an electrical and computer engineering major. “I liked the one that made the stage red. I thought it was interesting.”
The piece Morales was referring to is “Swell Piece for Alison Knowles,” which was by James Tenny and was a percussion realization. Which was part of a series called Postal Pieces.
Beyond the show are its performers, some of whom are just beginning their journey.
“I play the flute and sing. My favorite part musically is always that moment where you can tell everyone’s just vibing, and the piece just makes sense to everyone to the point where it just feels so energetic. That’s always been my favorite part,” said Jennely Aquino
The run time of the show was an hour long and included many different forms of percussion featuring many different students from many different backgrounds, all inspired and driven by music and its storytelling capabilities.
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