Concert to feature nontraditional percussion
Amira Eskander
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Culture
The music department will present the percussion ensemble's annual spring concert, "Catch the Groove," April 13.
Dr. Monte Coulter, director of percussion studies and professor of music, said the "Catch the Groove" ensemble is inspired by the production "Stomp."
Like "Stomp," he said, the idea of "Catch the Groove" is for the entire room to share the rhythm with the performers.
"There are pieces with just marimbas, drum pieces with multi-purpose tympanies and bongos, untraditional instruments including brake drums, tin cans and other household products and even shotguns," Coulter said.
One piece is all marimbas and another, called "Stained Glass," involves playing rims of glasses with different levels of water to create different pitches, according to Coulter.
Drew McCallie, a Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., junior, said he has been playing percussion for 10 years.
McCallie said musicians and non-musicians will enjoy the performance.
McCallie said the pieces range from very serious and emotional to fun and abstract.
"The performance has melody and harmony," he said. "It's not just banging."
Melissa Greene, a Chattanooga senior, said she will be playing a xylophone solo in the upcoming performance.
"My favorite piece is Doomsday Machine," Greene said.
The piece is inspired by a Star Trek episode where a planet engulfs everything from stars to planets and solar systems, according to Greene.
Coulter said, "Doomsday Machine sounds like something getting ready to explode.
"The audience will lose their minds," he said. "It's incredible."
"Catch the Groove" will premier in the Roland Hayes Auditorium of the Fine Arts Center April 13.
Tickets for the performance will be free to students, faculty and the general public.
Dr. Monte Coulter, director of percussion studies and professor of music, said the "Catch the Groove" ensemble is inspired by the production "Stomp."
Like "Stomp," he said, the idea of "Catch the Groove" is for the entire room to share the rhythm with the performers.
"There are pieces with just marimbas, drum pieces with multi-purpose tympanies and bongos, untraditional instruments including brake drums, tin cans and other household products and even shotguns," Coulter said.
One piece is all marimbas and another, called "Stained Glass," involves playing rims of glasses with different levels of water to create different pitches, according to Coulter.
Drew McCallie, a Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., junior, said he has been playing percussion for 10 years.
McCallie said musicians and non-musicians will enjoy the performance.
McCallie said the pieces range from very serious and emotional to fun and abstract.
"The performance has melody and harmony," he said. "It's not just banging."
Melissa Greene, a Chattanooga senior, said she will be playing a xylophone solo in the upcoming performance.
"My favorite piece is Doomsday Machine," Greene said.
The piece is inspired by a Star Trek episode where a planet engulfs everything from stars to planets and solar systems, according to Greene.
Coulter said, "Doomsday Machine sounds like something getting ready to explode.
"The audience will lose their minds," he said. "It's incredible."
"Catch the Groove" will premier in the Roland Hayes Auditorium of the Fine Arts Center April 13.
Tickets for the performance will be free to students, faculty and the general public.
