University Marketing & Communications: Scott Trotter | 801-863-6807 | [email protected]
Utah Valley University is taking its show on the road. The percussion ensemble will be performing their show throughout Utah over the month of Nov. in order to share their music with the state. The ensemble has steadily grown in musical maturity over the past six years under the direction of Doug Smith, assistant professor and percussion area coordinator. The group is ready to take their hard work “On the Road.” They will share their concert with Utah Valley audiences on Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in UVU’s Grande Ballroom.
Percussion UVU received a $10K UVU grant to record the violin and percussion works of Lou Harrison. The recording session was completed in May of 2017, and will be released on the Albany label once final editing is complete. The group received a second $10K grant to tour smaller communities in Utah. The idea was inspired by the Utah Symphony’s mission to share their musical excellence with the entire state of Utah.
The concert is a high-energy explosive one-hour performance featuring audience friendly pieces that are sure to get toes tapping and blow a few minds. The music is also notable for representing two of the highest regarded percussion ensemble composers in our field—Christopher Rouse (Ku-‐Ka‐Ilimoku— depicting the Hawaiian God Ku who holds the same place as Zeus in Greek Mythology, and Ogoun Badagris—depicting a Haitian Voodoo Ritual) as well as Amadeo Roldán’s famous Ritmica No. 5 and 6.
The concert also features a student arrangement of Grieg’s famous “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt and an arrangement of Radiohead’s “Sit Down, Stand Up” with added electronic percussion and drum set.
The concert will be presented in three showings. The first will be hosted at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper, UT at 7PM on Friday, November 17. The second will be held the historic Casino Star Theater in Gunnison, UT at 7PM Monday, Nov. 20. The third and final tour performance will be a matinee at Emery High School in Castle Dale, UT at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
All tour performances are free of charge and sponsored by the university grant.
A final ticketed performance will be presented in UVU’s Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. with a preshow performance in the lobby beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event may be purchased at uvu.edu/arts for $10 a ticket for community members, and $5 for students and children under 18.
About Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University is home to more than 35,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community college, state college, and, finally, a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees.
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