The 2013 Minnesota Percussion Association Day of Percussion is tomorrow, Saturday 1/5/2013, at Rosemount High School in Rosemount, Minnesota. It will take place from 9am – 4pm and will feature the following artists:
The cost of admission is $10. For more information contact Bohan Hoover at bojan.hoover [at] gmail [dot] com.
Here is the recording of the marimba/bass duet of “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” arranged by Nathan Daughtrey. This duet version, for marimba (Jeff Sass) and bass (Jeff Skaare), was performed at Faith Lutheran Church’s Christmas Eve service. If you enjoy it, please go by the “Yuletide Marimba” book at Steve Weiss Music today!
I will be performing on a marimba + electric bass duet of Nathan Daughtrey’s arrangement of “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” this Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church in Minnneapolis, MN. I will be playing the marimba and Jeff Skaare will be playing electric bass. We will be playing at all 3 services (8am, 9:15am, 10:45pm).
This piece is from a collection called “Yuletide Marimba” and the music is available from C. Alan Publications, and Steve Weiss Music. Thanks to Nathan Daughtrey for arranging this piece.
Makoto Nakura’s Wood and Forest Album has been released. Head over to the following places to purchase this album filled with marimba and vibraphone music:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wood-Forest-Makoto-Nakura/dp/B0086VZ852
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wood-and-forest/id568395763
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/makotonakura2
My personal favorite is the Duo for Viola and Vibraphone. This three movement work really blends the beauty of the vibraphone and the viola. Both instruments are played in a very relaxing style that invokes visions of a sitting by the fire in a northern woods cabin. This was also the first recording of the world’s largest vibraphone. I don’t have the details on how large it is exactly but I will try and find out.
It was great to see this entire project fully funded on Kickstarter. For more information and the latest news visit the Kickstarter page.
The Centennial High School Marimba Choir will be performing next Thursday 12/20/2012 at Northtown Mall at 10am and 12:30am in the Best Buy court. For more information view the following link:
http://www.northtown-mall.com/go/mallevents.cfm
or visit “NorthtownMallMN” on Facebook.
The University of Minnesota Percussion Ensemble is teaming up with the MacPhail Rimshots! Percussion Ensemble to perform a concert this Saturday at 8pm. The concert is free and open to the public. It will be at the MacPhail Center for Music in Antonello Hall.
The following pieces are scheduled to be performed:
Akadinda Trio by Emmanuel Sejourne
Concerto for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble, Mvt 4 by Ney Rosauro
Mudra by Bob Becker
Third Construction by John Cage
Ionisation by Edgar Varese
Samba by Ney Rosauro
This is a cool idea to get two different percussion ensembles from two different schools together for a free concert. I will be in the audience so if you are attending stop by and say hi!
Makoto Nakura’s Wood and Forest Album Kickstarter project is open for additional funding and donations. This project has 2 weeks left to go and it is already 2/3 of the way to the goal. The composers are Jacob Bancks, Kenji Bunch, Robert Paterson, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, and Michael Torke. Makoto’s playing is really quite beautiful and I look forward to hearing this CD with these new commissions.
There is a new Kickstarter project that is funding new marimba solos, and duets that could use your help in reaching its goal.
New Works for Percussion / Part Two led by Andy Eldridge is funding 5 specific works from different composers and the composers will be revealed one per week for the next few weeks. So far Andy has announced Martin Blessinger and Den Welcher.
Please head over to the Kickstarter page and make a donation so this project can reach its goal. Every dollar counts!
There are many percussion, marimba + voice events happening in Boston in November and December.
Spotlight Series: solo concert, marimba + voice
Sunday, Nov 18 at 3pm
See Brian Calhoon‘s unique repertoire for marimba, vibraphone, and voice (in one player), including the premiere of a commission by Derek Tywoniuk.
Presented by Juventas New Music Ensemble.
Davis Square Theatre
255 Elm Street (downstairs), Somerville, MA
free admission | suggested donation $10
BPeG at Jeremy Barnett’s DMA recital
Friday, Dec 7 at 8:30pm
Including the premiere of “Dreams of Progress”, a BPeG commission by Jeremy Barnett featuring the composer as MalletKAT/vibraphone soloist with percussion quartet (performed by Boston Percussion Group).
New England Conservatory – Brown Hall
290 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
free admission
Juventas New Music Ensemble presents “Expérience”
Saturday, Dec 8 at 7pm – Museum of Modern Renaissance
Sunday, Dec 9 at 3pm – Center Makor
Experience new music with narrator, a chamber opera, and an excerpt of Peter Lane’s new ballet written for Juventas New Music Ensemble.
Tickets and details here.
For more information visit, the following websites. www.briancalhoon.com, www.bostonpercussiongroup.com
The Universal Marimba Competition and Festival will be held in Belgium July 18-27, 2013. Their Facebook page and website have all of the details including the 50,000 Euro prize package for the winner.