Although the School of Music鈥檚 annual spring percussion ensemble concert usually kicks off the Wichita Jazz Festival, this year it鈥檚 an official closer at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, in Miller Concert Hall.
The concert will still be its usual rocking and rollicking event and might even excuse the cliche that it will 鈥渟hake, rattle and roll.鈥� That鈥檚 because one of the guest artists will be maraca virtuoso Ed Harrison, said Jerry Scholl, assistant professor and director of percussion in the School of Music.
Jerry Scholl
鈥淭his musician鈥檚 abilities on maracas are jaw-dropping,鈥� said Scholl. 鈥淗e has transcended an instrument primarily known as a type of shaker into a rhythm section and musical color all on its own.鈥�
The percussion ensemble is performing the world premiere of 鈥淭eppa,鈥� written for solo Maracas and percussion by Bulgarian composer George Tantchev.
Tantchev鈥檚 鈥淭eppa鈥� is named for the virtuosic Venezuelan 鈥淢araquero鈥� Maximo Briceno Teppa who was Harrison鈥檚 maraca teacher in Venezuela. Tantchev, in his notes on composing 鈥淭eppa,鈥� wrote:
鈥淓d's idea for an entertaining and rhythmically diverse composition featuring maracas as a solo instrument came naturally in our conversations. His virtuosic playing convinced me as a composer and percussionist that there were no limitations on what I could write.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible opportunity for both 萝莉社and the students,鈥� Scholl said of the 鈥淭eppa鈥� premiere.
In addition, Scholl said this concert will mark the first time the 萝莉社 percussion ensemble and Afro Cuban Ensemble collaborates with the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre, a student troupe from the School of Performing Arts. They鈥檒l join the percussionists on stage in a presentation of salsa music made popular by Gloria Estefan.
Janet Cramer, a 萝莉社 alumna who is a nationally recognized Latin percussionist, will be the guest soloist on the salsa pieces.
The concert will also feature professor of bassoon Nicolasa Kuster and the 萝莉社 bassoon studio as they perform 鈥淰oice for Bassoon and Percussion.鈥�
For tickets, $6 with discounts available, call the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233.