MSU Percussion Ensemble concert features 3 faculty members

The Mississippi State Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Robert J. Damm, will perform in an April 6 concert in McComas Hall theater.

The free, public concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature three faculty members from the Department of Music Education.

Oak Hill Academy's Orff Performance Class

Dr. Lana Johns will direct the MSU Flute Choir in a Revolutionary War period "Fife and Drum Medley"; Mezzo soprano Linda Karen Smith will sing "Three Puerto Rican Songs," an arrangement of a poem by Ester Feliciano Mendoza; and Dr. Gail Levinsky will perform "Rendezvous," a Latin/jazz composition by Dave Samuels of Spyro Gyra, on the soprano saxophone.

The diverse program also includes "Slap Shift," music for six hand-drumming fanatics; "Quartet for Paper Bags"; and "Junk Funk," music with found objects such as cardboard box, tin cans, bottles, and flower pots. "Afro-Amero," a composition based on African chant, ceremonial dances and popular music of Ghana, will highlight traditional West African rhythms.

The ensemble concludes the program in collaboration with the 30-member Orff Performance Class from West Point's Oak Hill Academy. The sixth-grade music class, taught by Susie Marshall, will join the Percussion Ensemble for "Three Shona Songs," an arrangement of traditional marimba music from Zimbabwe.

The Percussion Ensemble, founded by Damm in 1995, has performed in numerous concerts, festivals, workshops, and clinics throughout the state. Their programs present a mix of classical, contemporary and ethnic music.