Percussion concert to feature student-written work

Darin Wadley, associate professor of music and percussion ensemble instructor, is trying something completely different for this year’s percussion ensemble concert than he ever has at the University of South Dakota.

“Traditionally we pick pieces that have been written for us,” Wadley said. “This semester I wanted to do a techno-themed opportunity.”

USD’s percussion ensemble will perform their free winter concert Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre.

Sophomore Jess Kelly is a member of the percussion ensemble. She said her favorite thing about music is that people can get together as a group and create something that’s like a foreign language and make the music come to life.

“Most of the songs are written by the students in the percussion ensemble,” Kelly said. “(Wadley) arranged and wrote some of the pieces as experience.
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Turner said there will be a lot of variety for this concert.

“Normal techno is fairly repetitive and this show isn’t going to be quite as repetitive,” Turner said. “It’ll be a great experience for anyone who wants to hear a different setting for future.”

Letting the students write songs for the concert isn’t the only different element for this concert. Wadley said a professional will provide light effects during the show, including a strobe light.

Although the group will have an electric bass, a keyboard and Christopher Kocher, assistant professor of music, playing saxophone, Wadley said the main pieces are just percussion instruments.

Wadley said the USD drumline will also play the last song of the concert.

“For the most part, everything is based off of percussion, whether it’s drums or the xylophone and marimbas as opposed to a band concert,” Wadley said. “Most people have never heard anything like USD.”