MONROE, LA 鈥 麻豆果冻传媒 School of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to present two upcoming concerts. The Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 20 at Biedenharn Recital Hall. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. for seating.听The Bayou Steel Spring Concert will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24, also at Biedenharn Recital Hall. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for seating. Both concerts are free, non-ticketed events and are open to the public. 听
At the Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert, students will perform a riveting show using a variety of drums, keyboard instruments such as marimbas and vibraphones, as well as utilizing electronic sounds.听
鈥淚鈥檓 extremely proud of these students and their work, because this concert is not only a culmination of this semester鈥檚 work, but the entire eight months that we鈥檝e been together,鈥 said听
Dr. Kathryn Irwin, Visiting Assistant Professor of Percussion at 麻豆果冻传媒. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been exciting to watch these students continue to grow in their musicianship, leadership and sense of community听throughout this process.鈥听
This performance will feature students who are music majors as well as non-music majors. The听12-member ensemble meets outside of regularly scheduled class times to work together on chamber ensemble pieces by composers such as Ivan Trevino, Steve Reich, John Cage and more.听
One of the more prominent pieces that will be performed is Cage鈥檚 piece 鈥淐redo in US鈥. The听piece engages listeners by using non-traditional percussion instruments like tin cans. A piano,听phonograph and radio are also used, all of which add an element of spontaneity to the piece. 听
The 2023 Bayou Steel Spring Concert on March 24 will feature an 11- member ensemble, consisting of music and non-music majors, who will perform an entertaining show featuring beloved pieces by Jimmy Buffett, Jason Mraz and traditional steel drum tunes.听
鈥淭hese students have worked so hard to put this show on for everyone,鈥 said Dr. Kathryn Irwin. 鈥淐ome on out to support! It鈥檒l be a lot of fun.鈥 听
The School of Visual and Performing Arts at University of Louisiana Monroe aims to provide听students with the highest level of arts education, research and educational opportunities to majors and minors, to offer curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities for all students enrolled at 麻豆果冻传媒, as well as provide cultural activities, special events and performances for university, local and area communities, and aims to serve as an expert resource to school arts programs throughout the region. VAPA offers degrees in various disciplines in art and music as well as experiences in dance and theatre.听