PULLMAN – The Washington State University Percussion Ensemble will present a free Halloween concert featuring musical works ranging from classical to bluegrass in the concert hall of the Kimbrough Music Building at 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, the concert will feature “frightening” surprises, as well as special guest performances.
Under the direction of Professor David Jarvis, the percussion ensemble will open the evening with Christopher Rouse’s “Ogoun Badagris,” a work that derives its inspiration from Haitian drumming patterns based on Voodoo ritual music.
The ensemble will perform one of Jarvis’ compositions entitled “Nocturne for Trumpet and Percussion,” featuring WSU Professor David Turnbull on trumpet; a marimba duo arrangement of Bach’s “Toccata in D minor,” played by WSU percussionists Brent Edwards and Andrea Rennie; and the world premier of “When the Clock Strikes Twelve,” a percussion sound collage performed in total darkness and written and performed by Jarvis.
The final four pieces in the concert will include a collection of mallet percussion works including “Un Misterio,” a traditional Guatemalan folk song; “Devil’s Dream;” a traditional bluegrass fiddle tune; and “The Witches’ Dance,” a classical work by Edward MacDowell arranged for solo xylophone and performed by Rennie with percussion accompaniment.
The ensemble performance will conclude with an arrangement of the pop tune “Spooky,” sung by WSU Professor Horace Alexander Young. The tune was a hit in 1968 by the pop group called the Classics IV.
Halloween treats will be available following the concert and the public is encouraged to attend in costume.
